election

American  

[ih-lek-shuhn] / ɪˈlɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the selection of a person or persons for office by vote.

   In 2018, elections for governors were held in 36 states.

2. the status of being or having been elected.

   his fading chances for election;

   the international coverage of her election.

3. a public vote upon a proposition submitted.

   The official results of today’s election regarding use of public lands will not be reported any earlier than tomorrow.

4. the act of electing.

   There is no evidence to suggest violation of the rules of election.

5. Theology. the choice by God of individuals, as for a particular work or for favor or salvation.

   Election is not a hidden decree, but the decree revealed in Christ.

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election British  

/ ɪˈlɛkʃən /

noun

1. the selection by vote of a person or persons from among candidates for a position, esp a political office

2. a public vote on an official proposition

3. the act or an instance of choosing

4. Christianity

   1. the doctrine of Calvin that God chooses certain individuals for salvation without reference to their faith or works

   2. the doctrine of Arminius and others that God chooses for salvation those who, by grace, persevere in faith and works

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Other Word Forms

• interelection
  adjective
• nonelection
  noun
• postelection
  adjective
• reelection
  noun
• self-election
  noun
• subelection
  noun

Etymology

Origin of election

First recorded in 1225–75; from Latin ēlēctiōn- (stem of ēlēctiō ), equivalent to ēlēct(us) ( see elect) + -iōn- noun suffix ( see -ion); replacing Middle English eleccioun, from Anglo-French

Explanation

An election is a vote to decide who will hold a political office. Every four years, there is the election of a new U.S. President. If you have been following politics for long, you'll hear about plenty of elections: votes held every few years for political office. Mayors, governors, judges, and the President are all put in office by elections. You can also speak of the election of a winner: for example, "Her election was close." An election can also mean any kind of choice, such as "his election to move to Vermont." All the meanings of this word have to do with exercising choice.

Example Sentences

One of the founders of the modern Labour party, Keir Hardie was MP for Merthyr Tydfil from 1900 to 1915 and Labour has emerged from every general election as Wales' largest party since 1922.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

The question is whether that matters in an election, whether that annoyance that he’s focused on the wrong thing shows up in the polls or not.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

Britons were still casting and counting ballots in the Thursday election as this column went to press.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Le Pen made it to the second round of the presidential election in 2022 but was defeated by Emmanuel Macron, who won five more years as president.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Democratic “dark horse” candidate, Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire, had won election that past November.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• appointment
• ballot
• balloting
• decision
• poll
• primary
• referendum
• selection