election

noun

elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən 

1

a

: an act or process of electing

the election of a new governor

b

: the fact of being elected

her election to the Senate

2

: predestination to eternal life

3

: the right, power, or privilege of making a choice

Synonyms

• choice
• choosing
• picking
• selecting
• selection

Choose the Right Synonym for election

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of election in a Sentence

He's favored to win the election.

The scandal may affect his chances for election.

Her election to the Senate was a surprise to many.

Recent Examples on the Web

And there's no doubt that what Biden did yesterday in Pittsburgh, plays directly into the '24 election. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

In the 2020 presidential election, Natural Law candidate Rocky De La Fuente received just shy of 3,000 votes in Michigan, or 0.05% of the vote, although Kennedy's name recognition is virtually guaranteed to garner his campaign more votes. —Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024

Keller resigned before the election; two other candidates — Michael Pauer and Dean Langenfeld — ran for her seat. —Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

And a group of researchers at Microsoft said China will likely use AI to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. —Laura Bratton, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024

And in six state assembly elections over the past two years in India’s Hindi-speaking heartland, where the BJP is strongest, four saw women vote at a higher rate for that party than did men, according to Lokniti polls. —Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024

For the primary election in May, in-person, no-excuse absentee voting is available May 16-18. —Louisville Courier-Journal, The Courier-Journal, 18 Apr. 2024

Goodyear residents have until Monday to register for the city's upcoming special election that will decide the city's 2035 General Plan. —Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

Benny Gantz, who this week called for early elections and is widely considered a likely successor to Netanyahu as and when Israelis vote, is a member of Netanyahu’s war government. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing election

• bye-election
• by-election
• general election
• pre-election

Kids Definition

election

noun

elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən 

1

: an act or process of electing

especially : the process of voting to choose a person for office

the election of a new governor

2

: the fact of being elected

her election to the presidency

Legal Definition

election

noun

elec·​tion

1

a

: the act or process of electing

b

: an instance of the electorate voting for candidates for an elective office

c

: the fact of being elected

2

: the right, power, or privilege of making a choice: as

a

: the right of a spouse to choose a statutorily prescribed amount of a deceased spouse's estate or whatever was devised to him or her under the will

b

: the right of a person who has an interest in property that a deceased has disposed of by will either to claim his or her right to the property or to accept what he or she was devised under the will instead

c

: the right of a party to a contract that has been breached by the other party to choose to continue or terminate the contract see also election of remedies, equitable election