vote

[ voht ]

noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or choice made by an individual or body of individuals, especially in an election.
2. the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, or show of hands.
3. the right to such expression:

   The 19th Amendment gave women the vote.

4. 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.

5. the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast:

   The vote was in favor of the resolution.

6. 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.

7. 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.

1. to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: Don’t blame me if this film gives you nightmares—I voted for the romcom.

   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.

1. to enact, establish, or determine by vote:

   Threats were made against members of Congress who voted the bill into law.

2. to support by one's vote:

   When Susan B. Anthony defied the law and voted in 1872, she proudly voted the Republican ticket.

3. to advocate by or as if by one's vote: I vote we go to Disney World.

   The committee voted that the report be accepted.

   I vote we go to Disney World.

4. to declare or decide by general consent:

   They voted the trip a success.

5. to encourage or cause to vote, especially in a particular way.

vote

/ vəʊt /

noun

1. 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 ballot

   10 votes for Jones

2. the opinion of a group of persons as determined by voting

   it was put to the vote

   do not take a vote

   it came to a vote

3. a body of votes or voters collectively

   the Jewish vote

4. the total number of votes cast

   the vote decreased at the last election

5. the ticket, ballot, etc, by which a vote is expressed
6. 1. the right to vote; franchise; suffrage
   2. a person regarded as the embodiment of this right
7. a means of voting, such as a ballot
8. a grant or other proposition to be voted upon

verb

1. 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)

   we voted that it was time to adjourn

   vote for me!

   to vote by ballot

2. intr to declare oneself as being (something or in favour of something) by exercising one's vote

   to vote socialist

3. tr; foll by into or out of, etc to appoint or elect (a person to or from a particular post)

   he was voted out of office

   they voted him into the presidency

4. tr to determine the condition of in a specified way by voting

   the court voted itself out of existence

5. tr to authorize, confer, or allow by voting

   vote us a rise

6. informal.
   tr to declare by common opinion

   the party was voted a failure

7. tr to influence or control the voting of

   do not try to vote us!

Derived Forms

• ˈvotable, adjective
• ˈvoteless, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·vote noun verb prevoted prevoting
• re·vote verb revoted revoting
• re·vote noun
• un·vot·ed adjective
• un·vot·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English noun from Latin vōtum “a vow made to a deity; prayer, desire, hope”; vow

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote¹

C15: from Latin vōtum a solemn promise, from vovēre to vow

Example Sentences

At the center of it all is Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican who won an internal vote to become Senate majority leader on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

The city council will vote tonight on the settlement offer, which includes compensation based on the current value of personal property lost by verified former Section 14 residents and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

The city of Palm Springs could vote to start on the path to reparations for the Section 14 burnouts.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m not saying to vote for her,” he told people, pausing.

From Los Angeles Times

“He said the magic words: ‘I think you should vote for this person,’” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choose
• declare
• determine
• elect
• enact
• establish
• grant
• propose
• recommend
• return