election

[ih-lek-shuhn]

noun

1. the selection of a person or persons for office by vote.

   In 2018, elections for governors were held in 36 states.

2. the status of being or having been elected.

   his fading chances for election;

   the international coverage of her election.

3. a public vote upon a proposition submitted.

   The official results of today’s election regarding use of public lands will not be reported any earlier than tomorrow.

4. the act of electing.

   There is no evidence to suggest violation of the rules of election.

5. Theology.,  the choice by God of individuals, as for a particular work or for favor or salvation.

   Election is not a hidden decree, but the decree revealed in Christ.

election

/ ɪˈlɛkʃən /

noun

1. the selection by vote of a person or persons from among candidates for a position, esp a political office

2. a public vote on an official proposition

3. the act or an instance of choosing

4. Christianity

   1. the doctrine of Calvin that God chooses certain individuals for salvation without reference to their faith or works

   2. the doctrine of Arminius and others that God chooses for salvation those who, by grace, persevere in faith and works

Other Word Forms

• interelection adjective
• nonelection noun
• postelection adjective
• reelection noun
• self-election noun
• subelection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of election¹

First recorded in 1225–75; from Latin ēlēctiōn- (stem of ēlēctiō ), equivalent to ēlēct(us) ( elect ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion ); replacing Middle English eleccioun, from Anglo-French

Example Sentences

Afrinic had scheduled elections for a new board of directors in June, but a court-ordered receiver annulled the results due to allegations of fraud.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Elections for the seat are expected to be held within 90 days, despite Zambia holding a general election next August.

Read more on BBC

Jeannette Rankin arrived on Capitol Hill as a Republican in 1917, at the age of 36, three years before women got the right to vote in federal elections.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the presidential election she won no votes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Of the other 16, twelve were preceded by large pullbacks in the S&P500, of more that 10%, within the year leading up to election day, and the other saw pullbacks of less than 10%.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• appointment 
• ballot 
• balloting www.thesaurus.com
• decision 
• poll 
• primary 
• referendum 
• selection