universal suffrage

noun

1. suffrage for all persons over a certain age, usually 18 or 21, who in other respects satisfy the requirements established by law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of universal suffrage¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Never had universal suffrage been treated with such primitive and barbarous contempt.

From Project Gutenberg

Universal suffrage, for example, could not long exist in a community where there was great inequality of property.

From Project Gutenberg

The chartists' petition of that year had asked for universal suffrage.

From Project Gutenberg

In somewhat the same way have petitions recently been sent to Congress in behalf of universal suffrage.

From Project Gutenberg

The Duke of Richmond talked of universal suffrage, equal electoral districts, and annual Parliaments.

From Project Gutenberg