elector

[ ih-lek-ter ]

noun

1. a person who elects or may elect, especially a qualified voter.
2. a member of the Electoral College of the U.S.
3. (usually initial capital letter) one of the German princes entitled to elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

elector

/ ɪˈlɛktə /

noun

1. someone who is eligible to vote in the election of a government
2. often capital a member of the US electoral college
3. often capital (in the Holy Roman Empire) any of the German princes entitled to take part in the election of a new emperor

Derived Forms

• eˈlectorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• none·lector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elector¹

1425–75; late Middle English electo ( u ) r < Late Latin ēlēctor chooser, equivalent to eleg-, variant stem of ēligere ( elect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and the rest of the states certified their electors.

From Time

The Constitution, he wrote, “leaves it to the legislature exclusively to define the method” for appointing electors.

From Washington Post

He objected to electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania in votes after the Capitol had been secured.

From Washington Post

I’m leading the fight to reject key electors from key states unless there is an emergency audit of the election results.

From Fortune

Wisconsin’s votes were counted because Congress had agreed that an “Act of God” had prevented the electors from reaching the state capital of Madison on time.

From Washington Post

It was decided that the Elector and his family should leave Bonn.

From The Daily Beast

All of the elector-Cardinals were appointed by John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

From The Daily Beast

The first thought which occurred to William was that it might be possible to put the Elector of Bavaria in his son's place.

From Project Gutenberg

On receiving this ultimatum, the magistrates asked for time to communicate with the Elector and the King of England.

From Project Gutenberg

A loyal gallant Elector this, it must be owned; capable withal of doing signal damage if we irritated him too far!

From Project Gutenberg

To the huge joy of Elector Friedrich and his Court, almost the very nation thinking itself glad.

From Project Gutenberg

No other Elector held them both, for nearly a hundred years; nor then, except as it were for a moment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• constituent