What does it mean to be a PhD candidate?

A PhD candidate is a doctoral student who is actively pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This means they've been admitted to a doctoral program, passed any initial qualifying exams, and are currently engaged in research and writing their dissertation. While they haven't yet completed their degree, they are in the final stages of their doctoral program. The term "candidate" signifies that they are *candidates* for the degree upon successful completion of their dissertation defense.