elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv 
1
a
: chosen or filled by popular election
an elective official
b
: of or relating to election
c
: based on the right or principle of election
the presidency is an elective office
2
a
: permitting a choice : optional
an elective course in school
b(1)
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective hip surgery
elective tonsillectomy
elective cosmetic procedures
(2)
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
an elective surgical unit
(3)
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
elective orthopedic patients
3
a
: tending to operate on one substance rather than another
elective absorption
b
: favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic
an elective affinity
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
: an elective course or subject
Examples of elective in a Sentence
Adjective
He's never held an elective office.
Plastic surgery is elective surgery.
She took three elective courses last term.
Noun
She's taking several electives this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Erin Silvia, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This designation halts outpatient and elective procedures and ensures more beds are open for emergencies.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Our options for students on the college pathway include 24 Advanced Placement courses, and electives like Gateway to Engineering, and Human Genetics.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elective
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Adjective
Teachers were made aware of my condition, and the name elective mutism was ultimately changed to selective mutism.
—Erin Silvia, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This designation halts outpatient and elective procedures and ensures more beds are open for emergencies.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Should the levy not pass, the district projects fewer electives, cuts to athletics, activities and music and class sizes are expected to increase across all grade levels.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Our options for students on the college pathway include 24 Advanced Placement courses, and electives like Gateway to Engineering, and Human Genetics.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elective
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elective. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elective
1 of 2 adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: chosen by election
an elective official
2
: held by a person who is elected
the presidency is an elective office
3
: followed or taken by choice : not required
an elective subject in school
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
elective
2 of 2 noun
: an elective course or subject in school
Medical Definition
elective
adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective knee surgery
elective tonsillectomy
2
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
elective surgical units
3
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
an elective orthopedic patient
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