election

[ ih-lek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the selection of a person or persons for office by vote:

   In 2018, elections for governors were held in 36 states.

2. the status of being or having been elected:

   his fading chances for election;

   the international coverage of her election.

3. a public vote upon a proposition submitted:

   The official results of today’s election regarding use of public lands will not be reported any earlier than tomorrow.

4. the act of electing:

   There is no evidence to suggest violation of the rules of election.

5. Theology. the choice by God of individuals, as for a particular work or for favor or salvation:

   Election is not a hidden decree, but the decree revealed in Christ.

election

/ ɪˈlɛkʃən /

noun

1. the selection by vote of a person or persons from among candidates for a position, esp a political office
2. a public vote on an official proposition
3. the act or an instance of choosing
4. Christianity
   1. the doctrine of Calvin that God chooses certain individuals for salvation without reference to their faith or works
   2. the doctrine of Arminius and others that God chooses for salvation those who, by grace, persevere in faith and works

Other Words From

• in·ter·e·lec·tion adjective
• non·e·lec·tion noun
• post·e·lec·tion adjective
• re·e·lec·tion noun adjective
• self-e·lec·tion noun
• sub·e·lec·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of election¹

First recorded in 1225–75; from Latin ēlēctiōn- (stem of ēlēctiō ), equivalent to ēlēct(us) ( elect ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion ); replacing Middle English eleccioun, from Anglo-French

Example Sentences

Other teachers in Southern California have also been scrutinized due to their reaction to the election.

From Los Angeles Times

During Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, several Black students at the high school said there was already a racism problem at the school and that the issue got worse during the election.

From Los Angeles Times

“I kind of taught myself to get used to it and ignore it, but the week of the election it became utterly impossible to just ignore it.”

From Los Angeles Times

In anticipation of Election Day, Trump was seen working the fry station during a viral visit to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

From Salon

The specter of his most potentially incendiary plans were, after all, why the global markets briefly collapsed following the 2016 election.

From Slate

Related Words

• appointment
• ballot
• balloting
• decision
• poll
• primary
• referendum
• selection