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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of general election

An Americanism dating back to 1710–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

general election

As leader of parliament's largest party he automatically became prime minister without having to call a new general election.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

Both men took over from beleaguered premiers without a general election and must, as you say, “earn a mandate by delivering results.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

But his application to stand again for the Conservatives at the next general election has been declined.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

When Benn arrived in Belfast a day after the results of the 2024 general election, his first stop as secretary of state was St George's Market.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

As a whole, the general election had been less grueling than the pitched battle of the primaries.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama