gerrymander

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noun ger·ry·man·der \ˈjer-ē-ˌman-dər, also ˈger-; orig ˈger-\

Definition of gerrymander

1 : the act or method of gerrymandering
2 : a district or pattern of districts varying greatly in size or population as a result of gerrymandering three new gerrymanders

Elbridge Gerry + salamander; from the shape of an election district formed during Gerry's governorship of Massachusetts

NEW!

First Known Use: 1812

See Words from the same year

verb ger·ry·man·der

;

\-d(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
2 : to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group gerrymander a school district

NEW!

First Known Use: 1812

See Words from the same year

verb

: to divide (a state, school district, etc.) into political units that give one group an unfair advantage

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noun ger·ry·man·der \ˈjer-ē-ˌman-dər also and originally ˈger-ē-\

1 : the act or method of gerrymandering
2 : a district or pattern of districts varying greatly in size or population as a result of gerrymandering

Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814) + salamander; from the shape of an election district formed during Gerry's governorship of Massachusetts

transitive verb ger·ry·man·der

1 : to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
2 : to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group gerrymander a school district