hustings

[ huhs-tingz ]

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 hustings court. a local court in certain parts of Virginia.

hustings

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hustings¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hustings¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

Then, once she hit the hustings, sell those email addresses to the Clinton campaign and shut down.

From The Daily Beast

The Shaheen campaign pounced, spending part of the next day hitting the hustings in Sullivan County.

From The Daily Beast

That might be a better image than that of a candidate repeating the same attack lines on the hustings.

From The Daily Beast

The sooner Romney gets out there as a candidate on the hustings, the sooner the media scrutiny intensifies.

From The Daily Beast

As the couple takes to the hustings, speculation is rife over the post-nup agreement.

From The Daily Beast

Upon his return to Capheaton from his triumphant battle on the hustings he had been as impassive as his traditions demanded.

From Project Gutenberg

His political creed declared upon the hustings there was that of a moderate Whig.

From Project Gutenberg

The candidates themselves are on the hustings, and in the distance Britannia's coach has broken down!

From Project Gutenberg

All the morning he had to attend a factious hustings or a court—assemblies deliberative or judicial.

From Project Gutenberg

The governor was a candidate for re-election, and being a hustler, made many hot speeches from the hustings.

From Project Gutenberg