elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural electors

1

: a person qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.

—Allyson Waller

3

: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Interestingly, 108 of the cardinal electors have been chosen by Francis and largely reflect his vision of a more inclusive church. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025

According to the Vatican, there are currently 135 cardinal electors eligible to vote in the conclave, though the number who will attend and vote is not yet confirmed. —Sarah Ventre, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025

Presiding over the late Pope Francis' funeral on April 26 will be one of his key advisers and the head of cardinal electors tasked with selecting the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025

He was listed as an eligible elector on the official slate prior to 2020, but has not been listed since 2021, after he was convicted. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elector

• faithless elector

Rhymes for elector

• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• erector

Kids Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

: one qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

Legal Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor

1

: a person who is qualified to vote

2

: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.