ballot

American  

[bal-uht] / ˈbæl ət /

noun

1. a slip or sheet of paper on which a person's vote is marked.

2. the method of secret voting by means of printed or written slips or sheets of paper or by means of voting machines.

3. voting in general, or a round of voting.

   Our candidate was defeated on the third ballot.

4. the list of candidates to be voted on.

   They succeeded in getting her name placed on the ballot.

5. the right to vote.

   to gain the ballot after years of struggle.

6. the whole number of votes cast or recorded.

7. a system or the practice of drawing lots.

   The assassin would be chosen by ballot.

8. (formerly) a little ball used in voting.

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verb (used without object)

balloted, balloting

1. to vote.

   to ballot against a candidate.

2. to draw lots.

   to ballot for places.

verb (used with object)

balloted, balloting

1. to canvass or solicit (a group, membership, etc.) for votes.

   Members were balloted on the resolution.

2. to select, especially for military service.

   Certain age groups will not be balloted at this time.

ballot British  

/ ˈbælət /

noun

1. the democratic practice of selecting a representative, a course of action, or deciding some other choice by submitting the options to a vote of all qualified persons

2. an instance of voting, usually in secret using ballot papers or a voting machine

3. the paper on which a vote is recorded

4. a list of candidates standing for office

5. the number of votes cast in an election

6. a random selection of successful applicants for something in which the demand exceeds the supply, esp for shares in an oversubscribed new issue

7. the allocation by ballot of farming land among eligible candidates, such as ex-servicemen

8. a low-interest housing loan allocated by building societies by drawing lots among its eligible members

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verb

1. to vote or elicit a vote from

   we balloted the members on this issue

2. to select (officials, etc) by lot or ballot or to select (successful applicants) at random

3. to vote or decide (on an issue, etc)

ballot Idioms  

1. see stuff the ballot box.

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Other Word Forms

• balloter noun
• nonballoting noun
• preballot verb (used with object)
• reballot noun
• unballoted adjective

Etymology

Origin of ballot

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French ballotte, from Venetian Italian ballotta, equivalent to ball ( a ) ball ¹ + -otta diminutive suffix

Explanation

A ballot is a document that lists the choices during an election. When running for office, a candidate’s first goal is getting on the ballot. This Italian-derived word has proven remarkably successful by adapting itself to evolving voting technologies. It has been applied to devices used for casting votes from ancient times to the present, whether consisting of pottery, paper or pixels. Any kind of device, whether on paper or a computer screen, can be called a ballot if it lists the candidates and allows you to vote.

Example Sentences

"I cried when I put the X on my ballot paper," Zofia told me.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Hounkpe ran a low-key campaign and needed the help of majority lawmakers to secure the required parliamentary endorsements even to get on the ballot paper.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

They can make major unilateral decisions — such as welcoming federal troops into California cities — and command a bully pulpit to drive public opinion and policy, including through statewide ballot measures.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

In Port Washington north of Milwaukee, where a new data center is being built, voters approved a ballot question that could stymie future projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

In secret ballot we voted unanimously to keep him.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• election
• plebiscite
• poll
• polling
• referendum
• slate
• tally
• ticket