elector

[ih-lek-ter]

noun

1. a person who elects or may elect, especially a qualified voter.

2. a member of the Electoral College of the U.S.

3. (usually initial capital letter),  one of the German princes entitled to elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

elector

/ ɪˈlɛktə /

noun

1. someone who is eligible to vote in the election of a government

2. (often capital) a member of the US electoral college

3. (often capital) (in the Holy Roman Empire) any of the German princes entitled to take part in the election of a new emperor

Other Word Forms

• nonelector noun
• electorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elector¹

1425–75; late Middle English electo ( u ) r < Late Latin ēlēctor chooser, equivalent to eleg-, variant stem of ēligere ( elect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

From an initial 11 presidential hopefuls – one for every 7,000 electors – eight remain in the race.

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Democrats will need to find a new route to 270 electors by 2032, and that will necessitate flipping at least one state currently understood as red.

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When the last of the electors has taken the oath, a meditation will be held.

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Even so, they are barred from communicating with electors.

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Around a third of electors in England are eligible to vote, and more than 1,600 councillors will be elected.

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Related Words

• constituent