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Synonyms

elect.

1 American  
Or elec

abbreviation

  1. electric.

  2. electrical.

  3. electrician.

  4. electricity.


elect 2 American  
[ih-lekt] / ɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office.

    to elect a mayor.

  2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

  3. to pick out; choose.

    First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

  4. Theology.  (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.


verb (used without object)

  1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

  1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun).

    the governor-elect.

  2. select or choice.

    an elect circle of artists.

  3. Theology.  chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

  1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

  2. Theology.  a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect British  
/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

  1. (tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

    they elected him Mayor

  2. to select; choose

    to elect to die rather than surrender

  3. (tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed

    the president elect

    1. chosen or choice; selected or elite

    2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

  2. Christianity

    1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen

    2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See choose.

Other Word Forms

  • electability noun
  • electable adjective
  • electee noun
  • nonelect noun
  • preelect verb (used with object)
  • reelect verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of elect

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- 1, elite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Brussels, the regional parliament currently has 89 elected members from 14 parties, and forging a coalition is even more complex because you need majorities among both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking groups.

From Barron's

In 2020, he won a special Senate election to fill the remainder of the late GOP Sen. John McCain’s term, and two years later he was elected to a full term.

From Salon

It led Latham to predict that "it will be no different" to previous Tests at the venue where the team that wins the toss elects to bowl first.

From Barron's

And finding an elected President who could unite Scotland England Wales and Northern Ireland would, I suspect, be a good deal harder than some republicans think.

From BBC

This could reduce its ability to finance more low-income housing and other public works, though elected leaders would likely respond by raising taxes.

From The Wall Street Journal