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

London — Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership on his return to parliament after winning a by-election in Makerfield, northwest England. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 June 2026

This normally sleepy by-election was closely watched around the world after MP Josh Simons resigned with the deliberate intent of allowing Burnham to win his seat and challenge for the leadership of the country. —Josh Feldman, NBC news, 19 June 2026

But the scores of journalists from around the world who have flocked to Makerfield during the campaign are evidence that this is no normal by-election, the results of which are due early Friday. —ABC News, 18 June 2026

Rob Kenyon, a plumber and local councilor, is running as Reform UK’s candidate in Thursday’s by-election. —Katie Marie Davies, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 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