general election

American  

noun

1. U.S. Politics.

   1. a regularly scheduled local, state, or national election in which voters elect officeholders.

   2. a state or national election, as opposed to a local election.

2. British. an election, which must be held at any time within five years of the last election, in which constituents elect members of the House of Commons.

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general election British  

noun

1. an election in which representatives are chosen in all constituencies of a state

2. a final election from which successful candidates are sent to a legislative body Compare primary

3. (in the US) a national or state election or (in Canada) a federal or provincial election in contrast to a local election

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Etymology

Origin of general election

An Americanism dating back to 1710–20

Example Sentences

The shake-up comes with less than a year to go until Nigeria's next general election.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

And they may make Orban pay in a general election on April 12 that could spell an end to his 16-year rule.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

House seat, failing in both a special election and her general election comeback attempt.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Badenoch also spoke about her party's wider policies which they would only be able to implement if they won a general election.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

At this bush meeting we agreed in principle on a five-year government of national unity in which all parties polling over 5 percent in a general election would be proportionally represented in the cabinet.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela