electorate

noun

elec·​tor·​ate i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rət 

1

: the territory, jurisdiction, or dignity of a German elector

2

: a body of people entitled to vote

Examples of electorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a crowded field, our current system rewards whoever can lock down a narrow slice of the electorate, not whoever can build a majority coalition. —Patrick Hanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

Nationally, the electorate has tended to abandon them in favor of populist alternatives. —Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026

The electorate has become less polarized by income in recent elections. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026

Although the senders skewed more Democratic than Idaho’s electorate, just over half the messages came from Republicans and unaffiliated voters, based on a review of voter registration data for commenters who left their names. —Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for electorate

• directorate
• inspectorate
• protectorate

Kids Definition

electorate

noun

elec·​tor·​ate i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rət 

: a body of people entitled to vote

Legal Definition

electorate

noun

elec·​tor·​ate

: a body of people entitled to vote