general election

noun

: an election usually held at regular intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state

Examples of general election in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Under the rules of the nonpartisan three-way primary, only the top two finishers advance to the November general election. Martha McHardy Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 Given the political leanings of the state, whoever wins the Democratic primary for Durbin’s seat is seen as the heavy favorite to win in the general election. Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 6 May 2025 This is an off-year for primary and general elections, so voters in the two communities are the only residents casting ballots in these special elections paid for by each school district. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025 Labour is at no risk of losing power nationally — the next general election is years away. Stephen Castle, New York Times, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for general election

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of general election was in 1640

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Cite this Entry

“General election.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20election. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

general election

noun
: an election usually held at regular intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state

More from Merriam-Webster on general election

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