suffrage

American  

[suhf-rij] / ˈsʌf rɪdʒ /

noun

suffrages plural

1. the right to vote, especially in a political election.

2. a vote given in favor of a proposed measure, candidate, or the like.

3. Ecclesiastical. a prayer, especially a short intercessory prayer or petition.

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suffrage British  

/ ˈsʌfrɪdʒ /

noun

1. the right to vote, esp in public elections; franchise

2. the exercise of such a right; casting a vote

3. a supporting vote

4. a prayer, esp a short intercessory prayer

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suffrage Cultural  

1. The right to vote (see franchise). In the United States, the term is often associated with the women's movement to win voting rights. (See suffragist.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsuffrage
  noun
• presuffrage
  noun
• antisuffrage
  adjective
• prosuffrage
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• suffrages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of suffrage

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin suffrāgium “voting tablet, a vote cast in an assembly (for a law or candidate), an act of voting or the exercise of the right to vote, the decision reached by a vote, an expression of approval, influence or promotion on behalf of a candidate,” equivalent to Latin suffrāg(ārī) “to express public support, vote or canvass for, support” + -ium noun suffix; see -ium

Explanation

Suffrage is the right to vote in public elections. Universal suffrage means everyone gets to vote, as opposed to only men or property holders. Suffrage has nothing to do with "suffering" — unless the wrong person is elected. If you want to vote before you’re 18, fight for youth suffrage and get the law changed. In the meantime, once you turn 18, go vote! Kids grow up, of course, but it has been much harder for others to get the right to vote. For example, after trying for about a hundred years, American women were granted suffrage and voted for the first time in 1920. Think about that next time you’re tempted to stay home on election day.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

suffrage suffrages

The male-female suffrage distinction was easy, but in California, who, exactly, was a white male?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

These ranged from facts about the history of women’s suffrage to the founding of Puerto Rico’s oldest punk band, La Experiencia de Toñito Cabanillas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2026

After college, Rankin became an advocate and organizer for the suffrage movement in several western states and New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

Before he started his four-year term, Tik vowed to get fellow lawmakers to debate the hot-button issue of universal suffrage to elect Hong Kong's leader.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2025

June 4: The US Congress approves the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which would guarantee suffrage to women, and sends it to all the states for ratification.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Thomas Carlyle felt that "Ballot-boxes and Electoral suffrages" might prove a fatal threat to heroes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mr. Bradlaugh again seeks the suffrages of the electors of Northampton.

From The True Story of my Parliamentary Struggle by Bradlaugh, Charles

"My business to-day," he repeated, "is to ask your attention for the distinguished candidate who seeks your suffrages, and for the--the distinguished gentleman on my left who will presently follow me."

From The Great House by Weyman, Stanley John

He promised, however, to accede to their proposal, provided, after the regiment was raised, in which he must be considered a volunteer, the majority cheerfully tendered him their suffrages.

From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by Caruthers, William A. (Alexander)

A third reason is, that, as we descend to common life, the pleasures are simple, natural, such as all can enter into, and therefore excite a general interest, and combine all suffrages.

From Winterslow Essays and Characters Written There by Hazlitt, William