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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of by-election

First recorded in 1875–80; by- + election

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by-election

Burnham was elected MP in June after the Makerfield by-election, before securing the Labour Party leadership and becoming prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer lost the support of Labour MPs and quit Downing Street.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

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

In the aftermath of a by-election, the focus is usually on the winner.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Labour has won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, seeing off a challenge from Green Party leader Zack Polanski.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

As Colonel Ward sarcastically pointed out, opposition to this particular impost has been for years the "by-election stunt" of every party in turn.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-05-05 by Sir Owen Seaman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---