vote

[ voht ]

/ voʊt /

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See synonyms for: vote / voted / voting on Thesaurus.com

noun

a formal expression of opinion or choice made by an individual or body of individuals, especially in an election.

the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, or show of hands.

the right to such expression: The 19th Amendment gave women the vote.

the total number of votes cast: The heavy vote was a result of a new law that allows mailed-in ballots to be scanned days in advance of the close of voting.

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

a particular group of voters, or their collective expression of will as inferred from their votes: Two large unions endorsed the candidate on Monday, as he continues to court the labor vote.

an informal expression of approval, agreement, or judgment: My vote is for pepperoni—anchovies on pizza are gross!

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

to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: Only three Republicans broke with their party to vote against the measure.Don’t blame me if this film gives you nightmares—I voted for the romcom.

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

to enact, establish, or determine by vote: Threats were made against members of Congress who voted the bill into law.

to support by one's vote: When Susan B. Anthony defied the law and voted in 1872, she proudly voted the Republican ticket.

to advocate by or as if by one's vote: The committee voted that the report be accepted.I vote we go to Disney World.

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

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

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Origin of vote

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English noun from Latin vōtum “a vow made to a deity; prayer, desire, hope”; see also vow

OTHER WORDS FROM vote

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

un·vot·ing, adjective

Words nearby vote

Vostok, vostro account, votable, votaress, votary, vote, vo-tech, vote down, vote-getter, voteless, vote of confidence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vote in a sentence

During this year’s Democratic primaries, it took days and sometimes weeks for the bulk of votes to get counted.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Democrats also won a majority of votes in Senate races in 2016, but again, Republicans secured a majority.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
Yeah, but we don’t know where these freaking votes came from.
William Barr is the poster child for politicized law enforcement officials|Philip Bump|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Still, the vote is significant because it indicates the breadth of congressional support for tearing down the PACER paywall.
Bill to tear down federal courts’ paywall gains momentum in Congress|Timothy B. Lee|September 16, 2020|Ars Technica

McDonald’s appealed, and last December, the labor board reversed the judge’s decision and authorized the settlement, with Emanuel again casting the deciding vote in a 2-1 opinion.
“Cover Up”: House Democrats Subpoena Documents That NLRB Refused to Share in Ethics Investigation|by Ian MacDougall|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
But after winning 55 percent of the white vote, Duke had a database of supporters some politicians coveted.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The bill to remove the civil disabilities of the Jews rejected in the British parliament by a vote of 288 to 165.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
They can, and they will, vote themselves and their friends or adherents into the good jobs and the high places.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Only a creditor who owns a demand or provable claim can vote at creditors' meetings.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
If a portion of a creditor's debt is secured and a portion is unsecured, he may vote on the unsecured portion.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
An appeal by a member of a subordinate lodge from a vote of expulsion does not abate by his death while the appeal is pending.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for vote

vote

/ (vəʊt) /

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 forms of vote

votable 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

vote

Origin of vote

OTHER WORDS FROM vote

Words nearby vote

Words related to vote

How to use vote in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vote

Derived forms of vote

Word Origin for vote