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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by-election

Burnham won the Greater Manchester seat of Makerfield at a by-election in June, ahead of him becoming prime minister the following month.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

Asked by reporters after the by-election result if he could continue as leader, Polanski insisted "of course I can carry on".

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

It comes as polls close in Thursday's Holborn and St Pancras by-election, in which Polanski is a candidate.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

In a by-election in December 1969, he won the seat with a handsome majority.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

To my great relief the Wymington committee have adopted Dale as their candidate at the by-election.

From Simon the Jester by William John Locke

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