by-election

noun

by-elec·​tion ˈbī-ə-ˌlek-shən 

variants or less commonly bye-election

: a special election held between regular elections in order to fill a vacancy

Examples of by-election in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That level of attention is all-but unheard of for a midterm by-election to fill one of the 650 seats in the House of Commons. —ABC News, 11 June 2026

And, against the backdrop of a crucial upcoming by-election where Nigel Farage’s Reform has a chance to defeat Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham, the hard-right populist party is wary of being outflanked by even more right-wing groups. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Before potentially ousting Starmer, prediction markets' favorite Burnham must first win a by-election in Makerfield scheduled for June 18 to become a Member of Parliament. —Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Rayner is another Labour lawmaker to voice her support for Burnham to be able to run in a possible by-election. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by-election

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection