election

noun

elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio)
Synonyms of electionnext
1
a
: an act or process of electing
the election of a new governor
b
: the fact of being elected
her election to the Senate
2
: predestination to eternal life
3
: the right, power, or privilege of making a choice

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for election

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of election in a Sentence

He's favored to win the election. The scandal may affect his chances for election. Her election to the Senate was a surprise to many.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But after the election, Bessent reportedly backed away from that plan. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024 Scharf is an attorney and former assistant U.S. attorney at the Justice Department who previously ran for Missouri’s attorney general, but ultimately lost in the primary election. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 The City Council unanimously approved a bond election to fund parks improvements. —Tom Kilgore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 The reimbursements were for a $130,000 payment Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for election 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of election was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing election

Dictionary Entries Near election

electable

election

election cake

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Election.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/election. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

election

noun
elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio)
1
: an act or process of electing
especially : the process of voting to choose a person for office
the election of a new governor
2
: the fact of being elected
her election to the presidency

Legal Definition

election

noun
elec·​tion
1
a
: the act or process of electing
b
: an instance of the electorate voting for candidates for an elective office
c
: the fact of being elected
2
: the right, power, or privilege of making a choice: as
a
: the right of a spouse to choose a statutorily prescribed amount of a deceased spouse's estate or whatever was devised to him or her under the will
b
: the right of a person who has an interest in property that a deceased has disposed of by will either to claim his or her right to the property or to accept what he or she was devised under the will instead
c
: the right of a party to a contract that has been breached by the other party to choose to continue or terminate the contract see also election of remedies, equitable election

More from Merriam-Webster on election

Nglish: Translation of election for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of election for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about election

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