elect

1 of 3

adjective

i-ˈlekt 

1

: carefully selected : chosen

2

: chosen for salvation through divine mercy

3

a

: chosen for office or position but not yet installed

the president-elect

b

: chosen for marriage at some future time

the bride-elect

elect

2 of 3

noun

plural elect

1

: one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)

2

elects plural : a select or exclusive group of people

elect

3 of 3

verb

elected; electing; elects

transitive verb

1

: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership

elected her class president

2

: to make a selection of

will elect an academic program

3

: to choose (something, such as a course of action) especially by preference

might elect to sell the business

intransitive verb

: to make a selection

Synonyms of elect

Adjective

• select
• selected
• preferred
• favorite

Noun

• best
• aristocracy
• elite
• priesthood
• choice
• society
• top
• pick
• upper crust

Verb

• choose
• select
• pick

Examples of elect in a Sentence

Adjective

this elect body of students represents the best that the nation's high schools have to offer

Noun

the members of this all-American team are the elect of collegiate football

Verb

He hopes to be elected to the committee.

I've elected to study French as my foreign language.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The vast majority of proxy votes are important or mandatory but routine – reappoint the auditor, re-elect directors, and the like. —Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

But, proving that ticket-splitting is alive and well in New Hampshire, four out of five voters also opted to re-elect Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. —Katie McInerney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Nov. 2022

Noun

He and Melvin Walker (far-right) and David Ramsey (not pictured) were all arrested and charged with murder in the death of former Dekalb County Sheriff elect, Derwin Brown. —Ben Smith, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Under the bill, the Indiana Department of Correction will provide training to all sheriffs-elect on how to cooperate with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Verb

Franzen was elected County Board chairman in 1994, comfortably defeating then-County Board member Gwen Henry, former County Board member Judith Crane Ross and board member Robert Schroeder in the GOP primary. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku, a Democratic software consultant who was first elected to the board in 2018, has qualified to run for reelection. —Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin electus, past participle of eligere to select, from e- + legere to choose — more at legend

Verb

Middle English, from Latin electus

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing elect

• president-elect

Rhymes for elect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

elect

1 of 3 adjective

i-ˈlekt 

1

: carefully selected

2

: chosen for office but not yet holding office

president-elect

elect

2 of 3 plural noun

: a carefully chosen group

—used with the

elect

3 of 3 verb

1

: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership

elect a senator

2

: select entry 1, choose

we elected to stay home

Legal Definition

elect

transitive verb

1

: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership

2

: to make a selection of

elected her statutory share over the gift under the will

intransitive verb

: to choose an elective share

the right of a spouse to elect against the will