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

Serena Purdy is the by-election candidate for the left-wing New Democrats in the central Toronto district.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

The Green Party has won a Kent County Council by-election, which was called after the serving councillor was jailed.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 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

The dissolution came suddenly, hastened by the result of a by-election, which encouraged the Government to believe that the country was with them.

From The Life of the Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke, Volume 1 by Gwynn, Stephen Lucius