president-elect

American  

[prez-i-duhnt-i-lekt] / ˈprɛz ɪ dənt ɪˈlɛkt /

noun

1. a president after election but before induction into office.

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president-elect British  

noun

1. a person who has been elected president but has not yet entered office

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Etymology

Origin of president-elect

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Example Sentences

Plus, Wintour brought her back to Vogue ahead of the Biden administration to style her first-ever cover of the mother ship magazine, which featured Kamala Harris, then vice president-elect, and brought things full circle.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Teachers, however, are able to monitor their children and adapt activities to encourage development in appropriate ways, said Gennie Gorback, president-elect of the California Kindergarten Assn.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

It took longer than expected, but Nasry Asfura has gone from businessman to mayor to president-elect of Honduras, carrying the blessing of US President Donald Trump who has described him as a "friend of freedom."

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Standing by the president-elect in Mar-a-Lago last December, he pledged to spend $100 billion in the U.S. over four years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Mr. Pinkerton escorted the president-elect through the station and to the waiting arms of his reliable friend.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan