vote

[voht]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vote ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or body of individuals.

the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, etc.

the right to such expression: to give women the vote.

the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast: The vote was for the resolution.

a collective expression of will as inferred from a number of votes: the labor vote.

an expression, as of some judgment: a vote of confidence.

verb (used without object), vot·ed, vot·ing.

to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: to vote for president.

verb (used with object), vot·ed, vot·ing.

to enact, establish, or determine by vote: to vote a proposed bill into law.

to support by one's vote: to vote the Republican ticket.

to advocate by or as by one's vote: to vote that the report be accepted.

to declare or decide by general consent: They voted the trip a success.

to encourage or cause to vote, especially in a particular way.

Origin of vote

1425–75; late Middle English (noun) < Latin vōtum a vow

Related formspre·vote, noun, verb, pre·vot·ed, pre·vot·ing.re·vote, verb, re·vot·ed, re·vot·ing.re·vote, nounun·vot·ed, adjectiveun·vot·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for vote

tally, referendum, choice, majority, poll, ballot, elect, grant, propose, choose, determine, recommend, return, establish, declare, enact, yea, wish, suffrage, will

Examples from the Web for vote

Contemporary Examples of vote

Weiss is likely to get confirmed even as Warren and a handful of other progressive Democrats vote no.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton
Eleanor Clift
January 8, 2015
Asian-Americans may vote for Democrats now, but they are a highly persuadable—and growing—part of the electorate.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida
Tim Mak
January 8, 2015
In 1992, Republican George H.W. Bush won the Asian-American vote by 24 points.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida
Tim Mak
January 8, 2015
By 2012, Democratic President Barack Obama owned the Asian-American vote, winning it by 47 percentage points.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida
Tim Mak
January 8, 2015
Already, 10 Republicans have declared they will vote for an alternative candidate and more seemed poised to join.
Kamikaze Congress Prepares to Strike Boehner
Ben Jacobs
January 6, 2015

Historical Examples of vote

A vote was taken on the question of exile, and the black pebbles predominated.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
The ministry escaped censure when the vote was taken by a bare majority.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
Members that never attended were drummed up to vote against the bill.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
It came to a vote, and it was stricken out, two to one in the vote.
Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 7.
Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)
It should have come when the right to vote was granted to women in the Church.
Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 7.
Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)

British Dictionary definitions for vote

vote

noun

an indication of choice, opinion, or will on a question, such as the choosing of a candidate, by or as if by some recognized means, such as a ballot10 votes for Jones

the opinion of a group of persons as determined by votingit was put to the vote; do not take a vote; it came to a vote

a body of votes or voters collectivelythe Jewish vote

the total number of votes castthe vote decreased at the last election

the ticket, ballot, etc, by which a vote is expressed

the right to vote; franchise; suffrage
a person regarded as the embodiment of this right

a means of voting, such as a ballot

mainly British a grant or other proposition to be voted upon

verb

(when tr, takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to express or signify (one's preference, opinion, or will) (for or against some question, etc)to vote by ballot; we voted that it was time to adjourn; vote for me!

(intr) to declare oneself as being (something or in favour of something) by exercising one's voteto vote socialist

(tr; foll by into or out of, etc) to appoint or elect (a person to or from a particular post)they voted him into the presidency; he was voted out of office

(tr) to determine the condition of in a specified way by votingthe court voted itself out of existence

(tr) to authorize, confer, or allow by votingvote us a rise

(tr) informal to declare by common opinionthe party was voted a failure

(tr) to influence or control the voting ofdo not try to vote us!

Derived Formsvotable or voteable, adjectivevoteless, adjective

Word Origin for vote

C15: from Latin vōtum a solemn promise, from vovēre to vow

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

Word Origin and History for vote

mid-15c., from Latin votum "a vow, wish, promise, dedication," noun use of neuter of votus, past participle of vovere "to promise, dedicate" (see vow).

1550s in the modern sense; see vote (n.). Earlier it meant "to vow" to do something (1530s). Related: Voted; voting.