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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

general election

But the council member nevertheless made it into the general election against Bass, and dominated their second debate, hosted in August by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

After simmering below the surface for years, anger at unaffordable housing in Spain has bubbled over and precipitated a general election that will be dominated by the crisis.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

However, these positions are not necessarily included in the party's general election manifestos.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The super PAC last month announced four House Democrats and four Republican Senate candidates that it’s supporting in the Nov. 3 general election.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

In the white general election of May 1987, the Nationalists won an overwhelming majority.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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