Cand

Cand is a term that does not have a single, universally accepted definition. In practice, it functions primarily as a string that may serve as an abbreviation, an acronym, or a proper name, with meaning determined entirely by context.

One common use is as an abbreviation for candidate. In some election reports, scholarly styles, and genealogy or parliamentary documents, cand. or cand may appear to indicate a person who is a candidate or proposed for a position. In such cases, the exact meaning is inferred from surrounding text and formatting.

In computing, data science, and problem solving, cand is often used informally to denote a candidate value or solution. For example, when enumerating possible options, a “candidate” might be labeled as a cand in algorithmic notes or prototype code. This usage is not standardized and can vary between projects or communities.

As a word form, cand may also appear in proper names or as an arbitrary string within datasets, where it carries no intrinsic meaning beyond its role as an identifier. Because there is no fixed definition, readers should rely on context, accompanying definitions, or glossary entries to interpret cand correctly in any given document.

See also: candidate, candle, candela, applicable abbreviations in style guides.