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

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

Other Word Forms

• electability noun
• electable adjective
• electee noun
• nonelect noun
• preelect verb (used with object)
• reelect 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

Wiener, elected to the state Senate in 2016, is best-known for his work pushing local governments to add more housing density.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

La Guardia handily won the November election and was later elected to a fourth term.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Puerto Ricans do not have voting representatives in Congress, and they do not get to help elect the president of the United States.

Read more on Salon

Republicans are more than fine with cruelty to humans, but apparently even they are leery of trying to elect a puppy killer.

Read more on Salon

The nation’s two most prominent elected officials affiliated with Democratic Socialists hosting a town hall on CNN on the same day suggests a potential inflection point.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• accept 
• admit 
• appoint 
• conclude 
• designate 
• determine 
• name 
• nominate 
• pick 
• receive 
• resolve 
• take 
• vote 
• vote for www.thesaurus.com