1. a person who is applying or being considered for admission to a religious order or community
Usage: religious
2. a person who requests or applies for something
Usage: formal

Examples

• The postulant spent six months learning about the monastery’s daily routines.
• She entered the convent as a postulant before taking her vows.
• The postulant was required to demonstrate her commitment to the religious life.
• After careful consideration, the postulant was accepted into the order.
• The young woman served as a postulant for a year before becoming a novice.
• Several postulants gathered for orientation at the abbey.