elect

¹

[ih-lekt]

verb (used with object)

1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office.

   to elect a mayor.

2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

3. to pick out; choose.

   First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

4. Theology.,  (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun).

   the governor-elect.

2. select or choice.

   an elect circle of artists.

3. Theology.,  chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

2. Theology.,  a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect.

²

Or elec

abbreviation

1. electric.

2. electrical.

3. electrician.

4. electricity.

elect

/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. (tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

   they elected him Mayor

2. to select; choose

   to elect to die rather than surrender

3. (tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

adjective

1. (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity

   1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

Other Word Forms

• electability noun
• electable adjective
• electee noun
• nonelect noun
• preelect verb (used with object)
• reelect verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- ¹, elite

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

Cohen is the first Jewish member of Congress ever elected from Tennessee and has been a consistent supporter of Israel.

Read more on Salon

Even when presidents are elected by a landslide, a large share of the people vote against them, and the opposition party in Congress speaks for this minority more than the president usually does.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But good-government groups and elected officials, notably former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have fought to take the drawing of congressional boundaries out of the hands of politicians to end gerrymandering and create more competitive districts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was elected U.S. senator from Utah in 2018 and left office at the end of his term in January.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It also guarantees that minorities have an equal opportunity “to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accept 
• admit 
• appoint 
• conclude 
• designate 
• determine 
• name 
• nominate 
• pick 
• receive 
• resolve 
• take 
• vote 
• vote for www.thesaurus.com