by-election

Or bye-e·lec·tion

[bahy-i-lek-shuhn]

noun

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

by-election

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-election¹

First recorded in 1875–80; by- + election

Example Sentences

Eight politicians are competing in, arguably, the most interesting by-election in the 26-years of Welsh devolution.

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Senior figures in political parties often take part in by-election campaigns to help teams on the ground.

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First, a Labour MP would need to resign their seat so there is a by-election - unless a contest happened to arise through an MP dying or similar.

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Burham is not currently eligible to stand to be Labour leader because he is not an MP, but there has been speculation he could run in a by-election.

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He added that Humberstone should "do the right thing and seek a new mandate from Old Town residents in a by-election".

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