Election

Pronunciation

• enPR: Ä­-lÄ•k'shÉ™n, IPA: /ɪˈlekʃ(É™)n/
• Rhymes: -É›kʃən

Origin

From Anglo-Norman eleccioun, from Latin election-, stem of electio ("choice, selection"), from ēligō ("I pluck out, I choose").

Full definition of election

Noun

1. A process of choosing a leader, members of parliament, councillors, or other representatives by popular vote.The parliamentary elections will be held in March.
• 2012, November 7, Matt Bai, Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, That brief moment after the election four years ago, when many Americans thought Mr. Obama’s election would presage a new, less fractious political era, now seems very much a thing of the past.
2. The choice of a leader or representative by popular vote.The election of John Smith was due to his broad appeal.
3. (archaic) Any conscious choice.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.20:Whosoever searcheth all the circumstances and embraceth all the consequences thereof hindereth his election.
• Francis BaconTo use men with much difference and election is good.
4. (theology) In Calvinism, God's predestination of saints including all of the elect.
5. (obsolete) Those who are elected.
• Bible, Rom. xi. 7The election hath obtained it.

Related terms

• elect, elective, elector, electoral, electorate

Derived terms

• by-election
• election theft
• electioneer
• electioneering
• election of remedies
• general election
• primary election

Synonyms

• (theology) chosenness