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

Other Word Forms

• nonelector noun
• electorship 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

From an initial 11 presidential hopefuls – one for every 7,000 electors – eight remain in the race.

From BBC

Democrats will need to find a new route to 270 electors by 2032, and that will necessitate flipping at least one state currently understood as red.

From Salon

When the last of the electors has taken the oath, a meditation will be held.

From BBC

Even so, they are barred from communicating with electors.

From BBC

Around a third of electors in England are eligible to vote, and more than 1,600 councillors will be elected.

From BBC

Related Words

• constituent