elect

¹ 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.

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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. ² American  

Or elec

abbreviation

1. electric.

2. electrical.

3. electrician.

4. electricity.

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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

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adjective

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

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity

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

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

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

When South Africa ushered in democratic rule with Nelson Mandela elected president, the two were merged and the name conjoined.

From BBC

There is a catch: Once you elect leveling and start Social Security at FRA, “you typically can’t later delay your own benefit to 70 for a higher check.”

From MarketWatch

Later thinkers, including the framers of our Constitution, located power in elected legislators.

From The Wall Street Journal

“And were you told that my great-grandfather was its governor? That he was elected in honor of the vast donation he made to the city?”

From Literature

But after being elected a team captain and punching the ball out of ballcarriers’ hands for numerous turnovers, the Rams awarded Landman with an extension that includes more than $15 million in guarantees, according to Overthecap.com.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• appoint
• conclude
• designate
• determine
• name
• nominate
• pick
• receive
• resolve
• take
• vote
• vote for