by-election

Or bye-e·lec·tion

[bahy-i-lek-shuhn]

noun

1. a special election, not held at the time of a general election, to fill a vacancy in Parliament.

by-election

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom and other countries of the Commonwealth) an election held during the life of a parliament to fill a vacant seat in the lower chamber

2. (in the US) a special election to fill a vacant elective position with an unexpired term

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-election¹

First recorded in 1875–80; by- + election

Example Sentences

Senior figures in political parties often take part in by-election campaigns to help teams on the ground.

From BBC

First, a Labour MP would need to resign their seat so there is a by-election - unless a contest happened to arise through an MP dying or similar.

From BBC

Burham is not currently eligible to stand to be Labour leader because he is not an MP, but there has been speculation he could run in a by-election.

From BBC

He added that Humberstone should "do the right thing and seek a new mandate from Old Town residents in a by-election".

From BBC

The Manchester Mayor can not stand to be Labour leader because he is not an MP, but there has been speculation he could seek to return to Westminster in a by-election.

From BBC