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

Hustings are better but they are party events held with an audience exclusively made up of party members.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2022

Hustings will take place throughout July and August before the two candidates will square off in live TV debates.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2022

Hustings says that housing, specifically, affordable housing, is the only real solution to homelessness; ideally, Congress would give HUD a lot more money to address both transitional and chronic forms of homelessness.

From Slate • Jul. 3, 2017

“Socks are one of the most needed but often the least donated items at shelters,” said Megan Hustings, interim director of the National Coalition for the Homeless.

From New York Times • Mar. 19, 2016

Bolger unlocked the door and Tom Hustings pushed his way in, his raincoat and hair dripping.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman