elector

[ ih-lek-ter ]

noun

1. a person who elects or may elect, especially a qualified voter.
2. a member of the Electoral College of the U.S.
3. (usually initial capital letter) one of the German princes entitled to elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

elector

/ ɪˈlɛktə /

noun

1. someone who is eligible to vote in the election of a government
2. often capital a member of the US electoral college
3. often capital (in the Holy Roman Empire) any of the German princes entitled to take part in the election of a new emperor

Derived Forms

• eˈlectorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• none·lector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elector¹

1425–75; late Middle English electo ( u ) r < Late Latin ēlēctor chooser, equivalent to eleg-, variant stem of ēligere ( elect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Ginny Thomas, Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife, was involved in communications with Arizona state lawmakers pressuring them to “ensure that a clean slate of Electors is chosen.”

From Salon

In emails to Arizona and Wisconsin lawmakers, she pleaded with them to fight back against supposed fraud and send a “clean slate of Electors.”

From Salon

Electors are appointed by state parties to represent voters.

From Seattle Times

Electors voted under the heavy influence of the dominant political party in each state.

From Seattle Times

Chesebro had the phony electors sign certifications that they were “the duly elected and qualified Electors” from those states, which they emphatically were not.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constituent