vote

[ voht ]
See synonyms for vote on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a formal expression of opinion or choice made by an individual or body of individuals, especially in an election.

  2. the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, or show of hands.

  1. the right to such expression: The 19th Amendment gave women the vote.

  2. the total number of votes cast: The heavy vote was a result of a new law that allows mailed-in ballots to be scanned days in advance of the close of voting.

  3. the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast: The vote was in favor of the resolution.

  4. a particular group of voters, or their collective expression of will as inferred from their votes: Two large unions endorsed the candidate on Monday, as he continues to court the labor vote.

  5. an informal expression of approval, agreement, or judgment: My vote is for pepperoni—anchovies on pizza are gross!

verb (used without object),vot·ed, vot·ing.
  1. to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: Only three Republicans broke with their party to vote against the measure.Don’t blame me if this film gives you nightmares—I voted for the romcom.

verb (used with object),vot·ed, vot·ing.
  1. to enact, establish, or determine by vote: Threats were made against members of Congress who voted the bill into law.

  2. to support by one's vote: When Susan B. Anthony defied the law and voted in 1872, she proudly voted the Republican ticket.

  1. to advocate by or as if by one's vote: The committee voted that the report be accepted.I vote we go to Disney World.

  2. to declare or decide by general consent: They voted the trip a success.

  3. to encourage or cause to vote, especially in a particular way.

Origin of vote

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English noun from Latin vōtum “a vow made to a deity; prayer, desire, hope”; see also vow

Other words from vote

  • pre·vote, noun, verb, pre·vot·ed, pre·vot·ing.
  • re·vote, verb, re·vot·ed, re·vot·ing.
  • re·vote, noun
  • un·vot·ed, adjective
  • un·vot·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use vote in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vote

vote

/ (vəʊt) /


noun
  1. an indication of choice, opinion, or will on a question, such as the choosing of a candidate, by or as if by some recognized means, such as a ballot: 10 votes for Jones

  2. the opinion of a group of persons as determined by voting: it was put to the vote; do not take a vote; it came to a vote

  1. a body of votes or voters collectively: the Jewish vote

  2. the total number of votes cast: the vote decreased at the last election

  3. the ticket, ballot, etc, by which a vote is expressed

    • the right to vote; franchise; suffrage

    • a person regarded as the embodiment of this right

  4. a means of voting, such as a ballot

  5. mainly British a grant or other proposition to be voted upon

verb
  1. (when tr, takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to express or signify (one's preference, opinion, or will) (for or against some question, etc): to vote by ballot; we voted that it was time to adjourn; vote for me!

  2. (intr) to declare oneself as being (something or in favour of something) by exercising one's vote: to vote socialist

  1. (tr; foll by into or out of, etc) to appoint or elect (a person to or from a particular post): they voted him into the presidency; he was voted out of office

  2. (tr) to determine the condition of in a specified way by voting: the court voted itself out of existence

  3. (tr) to authorize, confer, or allow by voting: vote us a rise

  4. (tr) informal to declare by common opinion: the party was voted a failure

  5. (tr) to influence or control the voting of: do not try to vote us!

Origin of vote

1
C15: from Latin vōtum a solemn promise, from vovēre to vow

Derived forms of vote

  • votable or voteable, adjective
  • voteless, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012