elector

[ ih-lek-ter ]

noun

1. a person who elects or may elect, especially a qualified voter.
2. a member of the Electoral College of the U.S.
3. (usually initial capital letter) one of the German princes entitled to elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

elector

/ ɪˈlɛktə /

noun

1. someone who is eligible to vote in the election of a government
2. often capital a member of the US electoral college
3. often capital (in the Holy Roman Empire) any of the German princes entitled to take part in the election of a new emperor

Derived Forms

• eˈlectorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• none·lector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elector¹

1425–75; late Middle English electo ( u ) r < Late Latin ēlēctor chooser, equivalent to eleg-, variant stem of ēligere ( elect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

The system, which largely grants plurality winners in each state the bulk of its electors, keeps some voters home, O’Donnell argued.

From Salon

Doubt alone could be enough for his allies to claim the election is fraudulent and ultimately seek to put forward an alternate slate of electors in Pennsylvania.

From Salon

Those certified results go to the secretary of state, who has until Dec. 7 to certify the statewide result to the governor and presidential electors.

From Los Angeles Times

A state executive, typically the governor, then certifies what's known as a slate of electors that will represent their state in the electoral college.

From BBC

The electoral college is made up of 538 electors — one for every representative and senator in Congress, plus three for the District of Columbia.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constituent