nominee

A nominee is a person who has been named as a candidate for a position, award, or honor. The term is widely used in politics, entertainment awards, and corporate governance, and it denotes a status of being officially proposed or designated for consideration.

Etymology and usage: Nominee derives from Latin nominatus, the past participle of nominare, meaning to name or designate. In many contexts, nomination is the formal act of presenting a person as a candidate, while the nominee is the individual who has been named and awaits selection, confirmation, or election.

Contexts of use:

- Politics: A political party or coalition designates a nominee to contest an election. Nomination can occur through conventions, primaries, or committee processes, after which the person may become the elected or appointed officeholder if successful.

- Awards and honors: An individual or work is nominated when shortlisted or proposed by a voting body for a prize or recognition. The nominee competes for the award, and a winner is chosen by the concluding vote or decision.

- Corporate governance: A nominee director or nominee for a board seat is a person designated to represent a group of shareholders or a particular interest, often pending formal appointment or election by shareholders.

Notes: A nomination does not guarantee office, appointment, or victory; it marks the formal designation of a candidate. The terms nominee and candidate are sometimes used interchangeably, but nominee emphasizes formal naming or designation rather than the outcome of the selection process.