vote

[ voht ]

noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or choice made by an individual or body of individuals, especially in an election.
2. the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, or show of hands.
3. the right to such expression:

   The 19th Amendment gave women the vote.

4. the total number of votes cast:

   The heavy vote was a result of a new law that allows mailed-in ballots to be scanned days in advance of the close of voting.

5. the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast:

   The vote was in favor of the resolution.

6. a particular group of voters, or their collective expression of will as inferred from their votes:

   Two large unions endorsed the candidate on Monday, as he continues to court the labor vote.

7. an informal expression of approval, agreement, or judgment:

   My vote is for pepperoni—anchovies on pizza are gross!

verb (used without object)

, vot·ed, vot·ing.

1. to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: Don’t blame me if this film gives you nightmares—I voted for the romcom.

   Only three Republicans broke with their party to vote against the measure.

   Don’t blame me if this film gives you nightmares—I voted for the romcom.

verb (used with object)

, vot·ed, vot·ing.

1. to enact, establish, or determine by vote:

   Threats were made against members of Congress who voted the bill into law.

2. to support by one's vote:

   When Susan B. Anthony defied the law and voted in 1872, she proudly voted the Republican ticket.

3. to advocate by or as if by one's vote: I vote we go to Disney World.

   The committee voted that the report be accepted.

   I vote we go to Disney World.

4. to declare or decide by general consent:

   They voted the trip a success.

5. to encourage or cause to vote, especially in a particular way.

vote

/ vəʊt /

noun

1. an indication of choice, opinion, or will on a question, such as the choosing of a candidate, by or as if by some recognized means, such as a ballot

   10 votes for Jones

2. the opinion of a group of persons as determined by voting

   it was put to the vote

   do not take a vote

   it came to a vote

3. a body of votes or voters collectively

   the Jewish vote

4. the total number of votes cast

   the vote decreased at the last election

5. the ticket, ballot, etc, by which a vote is expressed
6. 1. the right to vote; franchise; suffrage
   2. a person regarded as the embodiment of this right
7. a means of voting, such as a ballot
8. a grant or other proposition to be voted upon

verb

1. when tr, takes a clause as object or an infinitive to express or signify (one's preference, opinion, or will) (for or against some question, etc)

   we voted that it was time to adjourn

   vote for me!

   to vote by ballot

2. intr to declare oneself as being (something or in favour of something) by exercising one's vote

   to vote socialist

3. tr; foll by into or out of, etc to appoint or elect (a person to or from a particular post)

   he was voted out of office

   they voted him into the presidency

4. tr to determine the condition of in a specified way by voting

   the court voted itself out of existence

5. tr to authorize, confer, or allow by voting

   vote us a rise

6. informal.
   tr to declare by common opinion

   the party was voted a failure

7. tr to influence or control the voting of

   do not try to vote us!

Derived Forms

• ˈvotable, adjective
• ˈvoteless, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·vote noun verb prevoted prevoting
• re·vote verb revoted revoting
• re·vote noun
• un·vot·ed adjective
• un·vot·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English noun from Latin vōtum “a vow made to a deity; prayer, desire, hope”; vow

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote¹

C15: from Latin vōtum a solemn promise, from vovēre to vow

Example Sentences

In August, county Supervisor Steve Brandau surprised the developers when he asked the board to vote on withdrawing county support for the project, jeopardizing the state funds.

From Los Angeles Times

It has also offered conductors a new deal to work on Sundays, he said, adding that the leadership of the RMT union will look at the offer before putting it to members for a vote.

From BBC

Higher-income counties were more likely to have voted yes, according to a Times review of voter results, although Orange and San Diego counties voted no.

From Los Angeles Times

Dozens of immigration advocates and labor leaders gathered outside the City Council chambers before Tuesday’s vote, calling on the council to pass the sanctuary city law, which is modeled after a 1989 San Francisco law.

From Los Angeles Times

“He told us exactly who he is, what he’s going to do, and we still vote for him. I don’t understand.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choose
• declare
• determine
• elect
• enact
• establish
• grant
• propose
• recommend
• return