candidacy

noun

can·​di·​da·​cy ˈkan-də-də-sē How to pronounce candidacy (audio)
ˈka-nə-
plural candidacies
Synonyms of candidacynext
: the state of being a candidate
he is expected to announce his candidacy

Examples of candidacy in a Sentence

He withdrew his candidacy after the scandal damaged his reputation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And former Planet Fitness president Ben Midgley, who ran to be Maine's Republican candidate for governor this year but was defeated, was found by Kalshi to have also placed money on his own candidacy. Bobby Allyn, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 While fatherhood bestows a caring persona on a male candidate, for women, the candidacy is often seen through a lens of family responsibility. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Nearly three years after leaving his post as Chicago Board of Education vice president, former teacher and CPS parent Sendhil Revuluri is vying to return, announcing his candidacy in October for school board president. Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Davis did not respond to a request for comment about the questions surrounding her candidacy. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for candidacy

Word History

Etymology

candid(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of candidacy was in 1693

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Candidacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candidacy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

candidacy

noun
can·​di·​da·​cy ˈkan-dəd-ə-sē How to pronounce candidacy (audio)
ˈkan-əd-
plural candidacies
: the state of being a candidate

More from Merriam-Webster on candidacy

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