electorate

[ ih-lek-ter-it ]

noun

1. the body of persons entitled to vote in an election.
2. the dignity or territory of an Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.

electorate

/ ɪˈlɛktərɪt /

noun

1. the body of all qualified voters
2. the rank, position, or territory of an elector of the Holy Roman Empire
3. the area represented by a Member of Parliament
4. the voters in a constituency

Word History and Origins

Origin of electorate¹

First recorded in 1665–75; elector + -ate ³

Example Sentences

That’s so helpful in solving difficult and important problems — by further dividing the electorate at public expense, while the rich keep getting richer.

From Salon

In the Riverside County district that Democrats are trying to flip, he said, “the voting electorate between 18 to 24 that’s being rejected are predominantly Latino.”

From Los Angeles Times

The fast-growing electorate is changing both within the state and across the country, shifting from immigration to economic concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, Rev. Dr. William Barber has implored both political parties to pay attention and engage the 87 million low-wealth and low, fully a third of the electorate.

From Salon

They say large media organizations spent too much time in Washington focused on opinion polls and punditry from political professionals and didn’t listen enough to what the electorate was saying on the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constituency
• voter