general election

American  

noun

1. U.S. Politics.

   1. a regularly scheduled local, state, or national election in which voters elect officeholders.

   2. a state or national election, as opposed to a local election.

2. British.  an election, which must be held at any time within five years of the last election, in which constituents elect members of the House of Commons.

---

general election British  

noun

1. an election in which representatives are chosen in all constituencies of a state

2. a final election from which successful candidates are sent to a legislative body Compare primary

3. (in the US) a national or state election or (in Canada) a federal or provincial election in contrast to a local election

---

Etymology

Origin of general election

An Americanism dating back to 1710–20

Example Sentences

Elections for the seat are expected to be held within 90 days, despite Zambia holding a general election next August.

From BBC

Certain measures included in Labour's plan to "Make Work Pay", issued in the run-up to the general election, have not featured in the Employment Rights Bill.

From BBC

He would regularly tell me before the general election that removing the cap was something he really wanted to do but he claimed there wasn't enough money for.

From BBC

Labour MPs in the Commons were noisily delighted as the plan was set out – so many have been campaigning vociferously for this ever since the general election.

From BBC

But Van Epps's general election campaign has been a marked contrast.

From BBC