elect.

¹ American  

Or elec

abbreviation

1. electric.

2. electrical.

3. electrician.

4. electricity.

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elect ² American  

[ih-lekt] / ɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office.

   to elect a mayor.

2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

3. to pick out; choose.

   First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

4. Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

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verb (used without object)

1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun).

   the governor-elect.

2. select or choice.

   an elect circle of artists.

3. Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

2. Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect British  

/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. (tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

   they elected him Mayor

2. to select; choose

   to elect to die rather than surrender

3. (tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

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adjective

1. (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity

   1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

Related Words

See choose.

Other Word Forms

• electability noun
• electable adjective
• electee noun
• nonelect noun
• preelect verb (used with object)
• reelect verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of elect

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- ¹, elite

Example Sentences

Parents of eligible newborns will also use the IRS form to elect to receive the government contribution.

From Barron's

Another metric is the average wait time for a callback, where callers elect to have the agency call them back instead of waiting on hold.

From MarketWatch

Archbishop Vann was elected by her fellow bishops with a two-thirds majority, following the retirement of her predecessor, Andrew John, in the summer.

From BBC

An elected treasurer does more than sign checks or track budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chairman Ken Martin ordered the report shortly after he was elected in February.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• appoint
• conclude
• designate
• determine
• name
• nominate
• pick
• receive
• resolve
• take
• vote
• vote for