elect

¹

[ ih-lekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office:

   to elect a mayor.

2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).
3. to pick out; choose:

   First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

4. Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun):

   the governor-elect.

2. select or choice:

   an elect circle of artists.

3. Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.
2. Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect.

²

or elec

abbreviation for

1. electric.
2. electrical.
3. electrician.
4. electricity.

elect

/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. tr to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

   they elected him Mayor

2. to select; choose

   to elect to die rather than surrender

3. tr (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

adjective

1. immediately postpositive voted into office but not yet installed

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity
   1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

Derived Forms

• eˌlectaˈbility, noun
• eˈlectable, adjective

Other Words From

• e·lec·tee [ih-lek-, tee], noun
• none·lect noun
• pree·lect verb (used with object)
• ree·lect verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- ¹, elite

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

In the fall of 2003, The Social Contract ran an ad encouraging its readers to join the Sierra Club so that they could help elect “leaders who will redirect this vital organization toward genuine environmental stewardship.”

From Salon

A statistical minority of voters consistently elect our presidents.

From Salon

Or, as Trump put it at a speech in Detroit last month: If you elect Kamala Harris, “our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president. You’re going to have a mess on your hands.”

From Slate

However, in an upcoming Trump presidency, the new FTC elect will likely be from the same talent pool as an axe-throwing Fox News host or even Elon Musk himself.

From Slate

He hosted major fundraisers for the president elect in the 2024 and 2020 elections.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• appoint
• conclude
• designate
• determine
• name
• nominate
• pick
• receive
• resolve
• take
• vote
• vote for