gerrymandering

1 of 2

noun

ger·​ry·​man·​der·​ing ˈjer-ē-ˌman-d(ə-)riŋ 

also ˈger-;

originally ˈger-

: the practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections

To an untrained eye, the proposed boundaries look like the etchings of a mapmaker on heavy pharmaceuticals. In reality, it's a masterpiece of diabolical gerrymandering.

—Carl Hiaasen

Bipartisan gerrymandering following the 2000 reapportionment produced hundreds of safe Democratic seats, hundreds of safe Republican seats, and not much else.

—Peter Beinart

compare cracking, packing entry 1

gerrymandering

2 of 2

present participle of gerrymander entry 2

Examples of gerrymandering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On redistricting, Biss has said Democrats should match Republicans’ push for partisan gerrymandering. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Whether such multi-member districts would totally end gerrymandering depends on their design, which remains hotly contested. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

How successful the gerrymandering actually was remains to be seen — Republicans are polling poorly in the Lone Star State, perhaps in part because of their blatant attempt to cheat voters out of their voices. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026

In November, voters across the state will be asked to support or oppose Question Three, a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for additional gerrymandering. — Colin Pascal, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

gerrymander entry 2 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1812, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gerrymandering

• meandering
• philandering
• pandering
• slandering