electorate

[ih-lek-ter-it]

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.

electorate

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of electorate¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

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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.

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

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And as with every other part of the electorate, his empty promises to fix the economy have also helped to sour many on his presidency.

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

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Related Words

• constituency 
• voter