by-election

American  

[bahy-i-lek-shuhn] / ˈbaɪ ɪˌlɛk ʃən /

Or bye-election

noun

1. a special election, not held at the time of a general election, to fill a vacancy in Parliament.

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by-election British  

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom and other countries of the Commonwealth) an election held during the life of a parliament to fill a vacant seat in the lower chamber

2. (in the US) a special election to fill a vacant elective position with an unexpired term

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Etymology

Origin of by-election

First recorded in 1875–80; by- + election

Example Sentences

A few days earlier the party pulled off a surprise victory in a council by-election in the ward of Whitburn and Blackburn in West Lothian.

From BBC

Ms Egan's election and Unison's influence on the NEC could also make it easier for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to be selected to fight a by-election and potentially become an MP.

From BBC

That's why this council by-election is significant and merits national coverage that is not normally afforded to these local contests.

From BBC

Labour has a minority of the Senedd's 60 seats - a situation made worse by October's Caerphilly by-election in which Labour lost to Plaid, leaving ministers with two seats short of control of the parliament.

From BBC

But that was a by-election, when the party could concentrate all its resources in one place.

From BBC