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

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

How to use vote in a sentence

House rules require an absolute majority of members voting to choose a speaker.
Kamikaze Congress Prepares to Strike Boehner|Ben Jacobs|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But this year, instead of simply voting against Boehner on Tuesday, at least two members of the group are vying to replace him.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention|Ben Jacobs|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As she discussed her understanding of the voting rights campaign and how she planned to recreate it, I grew more relieved.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her focus would be on the three months, January through March 1965, that gave birth to the Voting Rights Act.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

She adds that some of the earliest voting booths were stationed inside drinking establishments.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Neither privately owned nor government stock is entitled to voting power.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Nor can other creditors through filing objections to a claim prevent a bona fide claimant from voting.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
In due course the news came that the date of voting in the Senate for or against the retention of the Islands was fixed.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
A court of equity though may do this, and enjoin a pledgee from voting the stock whenever the pledgor's rights would be affected.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
More recently the cumulative system of voting has come into general favor.
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 related to vote

How to use vote in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vote

Derived forms of vote

Word Origin for vote