hustings

American  

[huhs-tingz] / ˈhʌs tɪŋz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. (before 1872) the temporary platform on which candidates for the British Parliament stood when nominated and from which they addressed the electors.

2. any place from which political campaign speeches are made.

3. the political campaign trail.

4. Also called hustings court.  a local court in certain parts of Virginia.

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hustings British  

/ ˈhʌstɪŋz /

noun

1. (before 1872) the platform on which candidates were nominated for Parliament and from which they addressed the electors

2. the proceedings at a parliamentary election

3. political campaigning

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Etymology

Origin of hustings

before 1050; Middle English, Old English < Old Danish hūs-thing house meeting. See house, thing ²

Explanation

Any activities connected with a political campaign or election — speeches, debates, and so on — can be called hustings. Presidential candidates often spend more than a year on the hustings. In the US, hustings are typically called "stumping" or "being on the stump." Hustings is more likely to be used in the UK and Canada to describe campaigning. An event at which candidates address voters or debate each other can be called hustings, and you can also say that a candidate is "on the hustings." The word comes from an Old Norse word, husðing, "council," from the roots hus, or "house," and ðing, "assembly."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hustings

It means Burnham could be the only participant in an official parliamentary hustings scheduled for Monday next week, at which he would field questions from fellow Labour MPs about his plans for power.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

If Burnham remains the only candidate, he could in effect hold a hustings all by himself.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

This would likely be accompanied by a series of party hustings and TV debates taking place over the summer, as contenders make their pitch.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

At a hustings event held by Birmingham Live, there were seven candidates or spokespeople, but there could have been more.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Many people were rushing on the hustings, and many others getting off, and an opening between the two waggons enabled them to pass down through.

From The Battle of The Press As Told in the Story of the Life of Richard Carlile By His Daughter, Theophila Carlile Campbell by Campbell, Theophila Carlile