hustings

[ huhs-tingz ]

/ ˈhʌs tɪŋz /

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noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

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

any place from which political campaign speeches are made.

the political campaign trail.

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

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Origin of hustings

before 1050; Middle English, Old English <Old Danish hūs-thing house meeting. See house, thing²

Words nearby hustings

Hussein I, Hussein, Saddam, Husserl, Hussite, hussy, hustings, hustle, hustler, hustle up, Huston, hut

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hustings in a sentence

It’s hard to write a campaign book in an era of 24-hour news, when the media pumps out coverage of what’s happening on the hustings.
Behind the scenes with the 2020 Democrats|Julian Zelizer|May 28, 2021|Washington Post
Then, once she hit the hustings, sell those email addresses to the Clinton campaign and shut down.
Is Ready for Hillary Ready to Fold—or Work With Candidate Clinton?|David Freedlander|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Shaheen campaign pounced, spending part of the next day hitting the hustings in Sullivan County.
New Hampshire Says ‘No’ to Interloper Scott Brown|David Freedlander|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That might be a better image than that of a candidate repeating the same attack lines on the hustings.
Hurricane Sandy Upends the Presidential Campaign|Howard Kurtz|October 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The sooner Romney gets out there as a candidate on the hustings, the sooner the media scrutiny intensifies.
In Search of Romney|Howard Kurtz|April 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As the couple takes to the hustings, speculation is rife over the post-nup agreement.
Guatemala's Political Telenovela: First Couple Divorces|Mac Margolis|April 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Upon his return to Capheaton from his triumphant battle on the hustings he had been as impassive as his traditions demanded.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
His political creed declared upon the hustings there was that of a moderate Whig.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2|Various
The candidates themselves are on the hustings, and in the distance Britannia's coach has broken down!
Adventures and Enthusiasms|E. V. Lucas
All the morning he had to attend a factious hustings or a court—assemblies deliberative or judicial.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 (2 vols)|Thomas De Quincey
The governor was a candidate for re-election, and being a hustler, made many hot speeches from the hustings.
Step Lively!|George Niblo

British Dictionary definitions for hustings

hustings

/ (ˈhʌstɪŋz) /

noun (functioning as plural or singular)

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

the proceedings at a parliamentary election

political campaigning

Word Origin for hustings

C11: from Old Norse hūsthing, from hūs house + thing assembly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012