elect

¹

[ ih-lekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office:

   to elect a mayor.

2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).
3. to pick out; choose:

   First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

4. Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun):

   the governor-elect.

2. select or choice:

   an elect circle of artists.

3. Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.
2. Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect.

²

or elec

abbreviation for

1. electric.
2. electrical.
3. electrician.
4. electricity.

elect

/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. tr to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

   they elected him Mayor

2. to select; choose

   to elect to die rather than surrender

3. tr (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

adjective

1. immediately postpositive voted into office but not yet installed

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity
   1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

Derived Forms

• eˌlectaˈbility, noun
• eˈlectable, adjective

Other Words From

• e·lec·tee [ih-lek-, tee], noun
• none·lect noun
• pree·lect verb (used with object)
• ree·lect verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- ¹, elite

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

In a career that stretched back over half a century, Lord Prescott was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and went on to hold the seat for almost 40 years.

From BBC

Already, elected Republicans are deploying their favorite trick from the first Trump presidency: claiming they simply haven’t seen the horrible thing reporters are asking about.

From Salon

After Edward elects to undergo an experimental medical treatment, he begins to transform — his old face literally crumbles off — and the theme accentuates his melancholy and metamorphosis with dark beauty and sludgy textures.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, some homeless advocates say they’ve seen a dramatic shift in the last year, as elected officials nix or stall affordable housing projects that had already secured competitive state funding.

From Los Angeles Times

"We got elected in July and of course nothing had been done, nothing for 18 months apart from warm words."

From BBC

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• appoint
• conclude
• designate
• determine
• name
• nominate
• pick
• receive
• resolve
• take
• vote
• vote for