# Release Candidate (RC) Meaning in Software > A version of software the team believes is ready to release (short form "RC", as in "v2.0-rc1"), still being tested for last bugs before the final launch. - **Term:** release candidate - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /rɪˈliːs ˈkændɪdeɪt/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Code and Git terms](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/software-development-terms.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/release-candidate - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A version of software the team believes is ready to release (short form "RC", as in "v2.0-rc1"), still being tested for last bugs before the final launch. A release candidate (often abbreviated as RC) is a pre-release version of software that has passed internal testing and is believed to be stable enough for end users. Teams use release candidates to catch final bugs and verify that the software works correctly in real-world conditions before the official launch. In most tech companies, a release candidate moves through a final testing phase where it receives extra scrutiny from QA teams and sometimes selected external users. Only after the release candidate proves stable does the team proceed to the actual release. This approach reduces the risk of shipping broken code to all customers. ## When you hear it The team just cut RC1 of the payment service, so we need to run thorough integration tests this week. ## Examples - **in a standup:** "We released RC1 yesterday, and the QA team has already found three critical bugs." - **in a code review:** "This fix needs to go into the next release candidate since we want it tested before launch." - **in a team meeting:** "If RC3 passes all tests by Friday, we can ship the final version on Monday." ## What native speakers say - "We're cutting the first release candidate tomorrow" - "This release candidate has too many unresolved issues" - "Let's push RC2 to staging for final validation" ## Common mistakes - ✗ "We will release candidate the app next week." → ✓ "We will ship the release candidate next week." (Release candidate is a noun (a version), not a verb. You do not release candidate something; you release or ship a release candidate.) - ✗ "This is a release candidate feature." → ✓ "This is a feature in the release candidate." (Release candidate describes a version of the entire software, not individual features. A feature is part of a release candidate, not the other way around.) - ✗ "We need to candidate this code before launch." → ✓ "We need to include this code in the release candidate." (Do not shorten release candidate to candidate as a verb. Use the full term or say include in the release candidate.) ## Be careful Do not use as a verb. It is a noun describing a version, not an action. Avoid saying we release candidate something. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | release candidate | The release candidate contains all the features scheduled for this sprint. | | noun | RC (abbreviation) | We are testing RC2 in production. | | noun (adjective modifier) | release-candidate version | The release-candidate version of the API is now available for integration testing. | | short form | RC / rc1 | QA signed off on rc2, so it becomes the final release. | ## Collocations - **cut a release candidate**: Means to create and prepare a release candidate version for testing. - **release candidate testing**: The final testing phase performed on a release candidate before launch. - **release candidate build**: The compiled executable or package version labeled as a release candidate. - **ship a release candidate**: To deliver or deploy a release candidate to the testing environment or staging servers. - **RC1, RC2, RC3**: Sequential numbering used when multiple release candidates are created and refined. ## Synonyms - **pre-release version**: More general term; release candidate is more specific and implies it is very close to final. - **beta version**: Beta is earlier in the cycle and may be less stable than a release candidate. - **final build**: Emphasizes that it is nearly complete, but does not carry the same testing connotation. ## Opposites - stable release - final release - production version ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/release-candidate ## FAQ ### What does RC mean in software? RC means release candidate. "v2.0-rc1" is the first release candidate for version 2.0; if testers find bugs, the team ships rc2, rc3 and so on. ### What is the difference between a beta and a release candidate? A beta can still change and gain features. A release candidate is feature-complete: the team only fixes bugs, and if none are found, the RC becomes the final release. ### What does "cut a release candidate" mean? It means creating a release candidate build from the code, usually from a release branch, so QA can start final testing. ### What does release candidate mean in software engineering? A release candidate (RC) is a version of software that has completed internal development and testing and is ready for final testing before an official release. It is stable enough for external users to test but may still contain minor bugs. The goal is to catch any remaining issues before the software goes live to all customers. ### How do you use release candidate in a sentence at work? You can say: We are shipping RC1 to staging for QA testing. or The release candidate passed all automated tests. or We found three bugs in the release candidate, so we need to create RC2. ### Is release candidate formal or informal? Release candidate is neutral in formality. It is the standard industry term used in both casual team discussions and formal documentation. You will hear it in standups, emails, and release notes. ### What is the difference between release candidate and beta? A beta version is earlier in the testing cycle and may have more bugs. A release candidate is closer to the final version and is expected to be very stable. Release candidates typically get only a final round of testing before the official release. ### Why do teams use release candidates? Release candidates reduce the risk of launching broken code. They allow teams to catch bugs in a controlled environment before customers are affected. This approach improves software quality and user trust. ## Related - [version control](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/version-control.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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