election

election — noun

1. An event in which the people of a country, state, or organization vote to decide

1.nounA2
Definition

An event in which the people of a country, state, or organization vote to decide who will hold a position of authority or to make a decision on a public issue.

Example

Nellie was nervous as she waited in line to cast her vote in the presidential election.

collocation: cast (one's) vote in the election

The outcome of the election was not announced until every ballot had been counted by hand.

passive: outcome of the election was announced

Common collocations
  • hold an election
  • call an election
  • win an election
  • lose an election
  • rig an election
  • general election
  • presidential election
  • local election
  • election campaign
  • election day
  • election results
  • go to the polls
  • stand for election
  • run for election
Synonyms
  • vote

    Vote can be a noun meaning an individual instance of choosing, while election refers to the entire event. 'She cast her vote in the election.'

  • ballot

    Ballot refers specifically to the paper or system used for voting, or a round of voting. 'The ballot was secret.'

  • poll

    Poll can mean the voting process itself or a survey of opinions. 'The poll opened at 7 a.m.'

Grammar Patterns

the [adjective] election

hold / call / win / lose an election

in / during / at the election

Usage Note

This is the most common meaning of election. The noun is countable: you can say an election or elections. The type of election is usually specified with an adjective before it (presidential election, general election, local election) or a noun modifier (city election, school-board election).

Common Mistakes

The election is very important, please voting.
The election is very important, so please vote.
After please, use the base form of the verb (vote), not the -ing form.
I will election for the new president.
I will vote in the election for the new president.
Election is a noun (event), not a verb. Use vote (verb) for the action of casting a ballot.

2. The condition of being chosen for a role or office through a vote, often announc

2.nounB2
Definition

The condition of being chosen for a role or office through a vote, often announced after a campaign and formal counting of ballots.

Example

Sari's election as class president surprised no one, since she had organised the most student events.

collocation: election as [role]

Following her election to the board of directors, Antonia immediately proposed a new environmental policy for the company.

collocation: election to [institution]

Common collocations
  • election as president
  • election to the board
  • election to parliament
  • announce someone's election
  • confirm someone's election
  • following someone's election
Synonyms
  • appointment

    Appointment is being chosen by a person or small group, not by a vote of many people. 'Her appointment as director was made by the CEO.'

  • selection

    Selection is broader and can happen through any method, not just voting. 'His selection for the team was based on skill.'

Antonyms
  • rejection

    Being turned down or not chosen for a position.

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] election as [role]

[possessive] election to [institution]

following / after [possessive] election

Usage Note

In this sense, election refers to the status or fact of having been chosen, not the event itself. It is uncountable and typically appears with a possessive (her election, his election) or with as/to (election as treasurer, election to the committee). Distinguish from sense 1: 'The election took place on Tuesday' (event) vs 'Her election was a historic moment' (status).

Common Mistakes

His election as chairman was held last month.
His election as chairman took effect last month. The election (sense 1) was held last month.
Election (status) does not take verbs like hold; use take effect or be confirmed.

3. The power or freedom to choose between different options or possibilities in a p

3.nounC1
Definition

The power or freedom to choose between different options or possibilities in a personal, legal, or professional setting.

Example

The contract gave the buyer the right of election to accept or reject the goods within thirty days.

formal/legal: right of election

In some legal systems, a person who lost money must elect between ways to be repaid.

collocation: make an election between

Common collocations
  • right of election
  • freedom of election
  • power of election
  • make an election
  • exercise an election
Synonyms
  • choice

    Choice is the everyday word; election in this sense is much more formal. 'You have a choice between two options.'

  • option

    Option emphasises one of several possible alternatives rather than the act of choosing. 'We have three options to consider.'

  • preference

    Preference is about which option you like more, not the act of choosing itself. 'My preference is the earlier flight.'

Grammar Patterns

right / freedom / power of election

have the election of [options]

make an election between [options]

Usage Note

This sense is formal and fairly rare in everyday English. You are most likely to encounter it in legal documents, formal contracts, or philosophical discussions. In ordinary speech, choice or option is used instead. Example: 'You have the right of election' (formal) vs 'You have the right to choose' (everyday).

Common Mistakes

I have the election to go to the park or stay home.
I have the choice of going to the park or staying home.
Election in the sense of personal choice is extremely formal and unnatural in everyday contexts. Use choice or option instead.

Word family

  • elect
    verbB1
  • elector
    nounB2
  • electoral
    adjectiveB2
  • electorate
    nounC1
  • re-elect
    verbB2
  • re-election
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Election, vote, ballot, and referendum all relate to the act of choosing through voting, but they differ in scope and use. An election is the full event in which people choose candidates for political office — it involves campaigning, multiple candidates, and a formal process that may last months. A vote is one person's individual act of making a choice, or the collective result: 'The vote was 52 to 48.' Ballot refers to the physical or digital method of recording a vote (paper ballot, secret ballot) or one round of voting in a multi-stage election. A referendum is a direct vote by the public on a single policy question, not a candidate — for example, 'a referendum on joining the European Union.' In short: you cast a vote (individual action) using a ballot (method) in an election (event) or a referendum (policy vote).

election ↗vote ↗ballot ↗referendum ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • hold an election
  • call an election
  • win an election
  • lose an election
  • rig an election
  • stand for election
  • run for election
  • go to the polls
  • vote in an election
  • announce the election results

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Election entered English in the 13th century from Old French eleccion, which came from Latin electio (genitive electionis), meaning 'a choice' or 'a selection.' The Latin noun derives from the verb eligere — 'to pick out, choose' — formed from ex- ('out') and legere ('to gather, choose, read'). The political meaning of choosing leaders by vote emerged in the 15th century, while the religious sense of being chosen by God (predestination) appeared in the 17th century. The modern idea of a free and fair election as a democratic right became widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries.