electorate

American  

[ih-lek-ter-it] / ɪˈlɛk tər ɪt /

noun

1. the body of persons entitled to vote in an election.

2. the dignity or territory of an Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.

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electorate British  

/ ɪˈlɛktərɪt /

noun

1. the body of all qualified voters

2. the rank, position, or territory of an elector of the Holy Roman Empire

3. the area represented by a Member of Parliament

4. the voters in a constituency

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Etymology

Origin of electorate

First recorded in 1665–75; elector + -ate ³

Example Sentences

It will also hope that it can put behind it months of public bickering and prove to the electorate it is a serious political force worth voting for.

From BBC

Analysts say Noboa was unable to convince the electorate that his ideas were the best way to deal with what is a very real problem of sky-high crime and murder rates.

From Barron's

That electorate is more educated, affluent and urban than the state as a whole, clustered in Portland’s walkable neighborhoods, college towns such as Brunswick and artsy coastal communities that swell with summer tourists.

From Salon

Voting is compulsory for the first time since 2012, adding nearly 5 million people to the electorate.

From Barron's

Polls also suggest the Labour Party has commanded the support of no more than a fifth of the electorate in recent months.

From BBC

Related Words

• constituency
• voter