general election

American  

noun

1. U.S. Politics.

   1. a regularly scheduled local, state, or national election in which voters elect officeholders.

   2. a state or national election, as opposed to a local election.

2. British. an election, which must be held at any time within five years of the last election, in which constituents elect members of the House of Commons.

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general election British  

noun

1. an election in which representatives are chosen in all constituencies of a state

2. a final election from which successful candidates are sent to a legislative body Compare primary

3. (in the US) a national or state election or (in Canada) a federal or provincial election in contrast to a local election

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Etymology

Origin of general election

An Americanism dating back to 1710–20

Example Sentences

Only the first- and second-place finishers in the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

The second season is set in 1987 with the backdrop of a general election.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

If anyone secures 50 percent of the votes on Tuesday, they win outright; anything less means the top two candidates go through to the November 3 general election.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

If no-one reaches that threshold, the top two advance to November's general election.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Senate race and was locked in what would become a tight race in the general election.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama