swingometer

British

/ swɪŋˈɒmɪtə /

noun

a device used in television broadcasting during a general election to indicate the swing of votes from one political party to another

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One letter included a sketch of a "pendulum device": the swingometer.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2022

The swingometer could therefore show - after only a few results - what the final outcome would be.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2022

He will be joined by the Reeta Chakrabarti, Tina Daheley and Jeremy Vine with his swingometer – while Andrew Neil will be hoping for a chance to finally interview Boris Johnson.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2019

For politicians election night is a never-ending thrill ride where the direction of a swingometer can leave a long-standing back bencher in tears and even the most experienced pollster in a state of shock.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2017

Election 1966 with Bob McKenzie And in 2010 - the swingometer is still in place but presentation has moved on.

From The Guardian • Jun. 21, 2012

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023