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

Speaking at the Workmen's Hall in Bedwas, in the Caerphilly constituency won by Lindsay Whittle, Rhun ap Iorwerth said the by-election had made "history".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Lewis can assume leadership of the party despite not holding a seat in the House of Commons, though he will be expected to run in the next federal election or in a by-election.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Last month she became the first Green Party candidate to win a parliamentary by-election.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Something similar happened in a parliamentary by-election in Britain in February, recently mentioned in this space in passing but now worth a closer look.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

And when there has been a by-election and both sides claim the moral victory I have no doubt that the men in signal-boxes think that murder is taking place in our carriage.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, February 25, 1914 by Various