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

On Wednesday, Norwich South MP Clive Lewis said he was willing to step down to potentially make way for Burnham to return to the Commons via a by-election.

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The vote count at the Caerphilly by-election looked like many others.

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But if he were to step down, any would-be successor would first need to win a selection contest before a by-election was held.

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Three weeks on from the by-election, Powell said he still requires security for certain events, which his party funds, and said he wanted stronger safeguards for those standing for public office.

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His comments come after Plaid Cymru won last month's Caerphilly by-election, beating Reform UK who have called for stronger controls on immigration.

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