ballot box

American  

noun

1. a receptacle for voters' ballots.

2. a system or instance of voting by ballot.

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ballot box British  

noun

1. a box into which ballot papers are dropped after voting

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Etymology

Origin of ballot box

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

We protested, on the streets and at the ballot box.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

"Texas and Georgia, in particular, will signal whether new Democrats -- particularly women -- have been motivated to show up both on the ballot and at the ballot box," she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

For many here, the election scheduled for 12 February will be their first genuine encounter with the ballot box.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

When politicians fail to deliver, the people make their views known at the ballot box, as happened recently in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

At four in the afternoon a roll of drums in the square announced the closing of the polls and Don Apolinar Moscote sealed the ballot box with a label crossed by his signature.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• polling place