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

There are seven candidates standing in the Aberdeen South by-election.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Andy Burnham said he would seek to enter any potential Labour leadership contest should he win the Makerfield by-election on 18 June.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The by-election was called after Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down, a move he said he had undertaken to allow his party colleague Andy Burnham to run for Parliament and potentially mount a leadership bid.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Michael Winstanley told BBC Radio Manchester many in the Greater Manchester constituency were "resentful" about the by-election and felt like "political pawns".

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

And his face and phrases were on the front page of all the newspapers just then, because he was contesting the safe seat of Sir Francis Verner in the great by-election in the west.

From The Man Who Knew Too Much by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)