electorate
Americannoun
-
the body of persons entitled to vote in an election.
-
the dignity or territory of an Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.
noun
-
the body of all qualified voters
-
the rank, position, or territory of an elector of the Holy Roman Empire
-
the area represented by a Member of Parliament
-
the voters in a constituency
Etymology
Origin of electorate
Explanation
An electorate is a body of people allowed to vote in an election. In the United States, when you turn eighteen, you may join the electorate and help choose a president. The word electorate is especially important for those people who are not a part of it. For instance, women in the United States were not part of the electorate until they were allowed to vote in 1920. Being a part of the electorate is important because it gives you a chance to elect — or choose — who you want to represent you in your government.
Vocabulary lists containing electorate
Star-Spangled Vocabulary: Patriotic Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Electoral Elocution: The Verbiage of Voting
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Nothing But the Truth
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The state’s electorate reaffirmed its support a decade ago, voting down a ballot initiative that would have abolished capital punishment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
He appears to have energized Black voters furious over a Supreme Court decision that could let Republicans eliminate Mississippi’s only majority-Black congressional district while also winning over about a quarter of the white electorate.
From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026
"One of the foundations of democracy is the ability to have a peaceful transfer of power. This stems from the understanding that the will of the electorate obligates us all."
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
But if it also wins 13 electorate races, then parliament creates an extra, overhang seat for it, pushing up its total to 121.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
The economy was stable, the white electorate untroubled.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
