candidate key

noun

In the design of a database table, a column (or an irreducible group of them) able to identify every row of the table, having a unique value or set of values in each row. One of the candidate keys (abbreviated CKs) will be the primary key.

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Meanings

nouncandidate key (plural candidate keys)

plural candidate keys

  1. computingIn the design of a database table, a column (or an irreducible group of them) able to identify every row of the table, having a unique value or set of values in each row. One of the candidate keys (abbreviated CKs) will be the primary key.
Cite this entry
APA

candidate key. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/candidate%20key

MLA

“candidate key.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/candidate%20key. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “candidate key,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/candidate%20key.

Source: candidate key on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.