by-election

American  

[bahy-i-lek-shuhn] / ˈbaɪ ɪˌlɛk ʃən /

Or bye-election

noun

1. a special election, not held at the time of a general election, to fill a vacancy in Parliament.

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by-election British  

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom and other countries of the Commonwealth) an election held during the life of a parliament to fill a vacant seat in the lower chamber

2. (in the US) a special election to fill a vacant elective position with an unexpired term

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Etymology

Origin of by-election

First recorded in 1875–80; by- + election

Example Sentences

Serena Purdy is the by-election candidate for the left-wing New Democrats in the central Toronto district.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Lord Carrington became a hereditary member of the Lords in 2018, after winning a by-election to replace a retired peer.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Labour went on to finish third in the by-election, behind the Green Party and Reform UK, in what had previously been a safe Labour seat.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Last month she became the first Green Party candidate to win a parliamentary by-election.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

In February 1819 Hobhouse was the Radical candidate at a by-election for the representation of the city of Westminster, but he failed to secure election.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various