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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However, as Wink notes, running on an extreme during a primary could potentially lead to a general election defeat due to the swaths of moderates who typically turn out. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 Although typically the results of the city’s Democratic primary determine who will be the next mayor, this year’s general election in November is expected to be competitive. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025 Mamdani’s win is just the start of the general election. Solcyré Burga, Time, 25 June 2025 Because of New York’s leftward tilt, the primary winner typically emerges as the heavy favorite in the fall general election. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 June 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 2 Jul. 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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