gerrymandering

noun

ger·​ry·​man·​der·​ing ˈjer-ē-ˌman-d(ə-)riŋ 

also ˈger-;

originally ˈger-

: the practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections

To an untrained eye, the proposed boundaries look like the etchings of a mapmaker on heavy pharmaceuticals. In reality, it's a masterpiece of diabolical gerrymandering.

—Carl Hiaasen

Bipartisan gerrymandering following the 2000 reapportionment produced hundreds of safe Democratic seats, hundreds of safe Republican seats, and not much else.

—Peter Beinart

compare cracking, packing

Examples of gerrymandering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This clear effort to steal more seats for Republicans shows his total contempt for Florida voters, who voted two-to-one in favor of a ban on partisan gerrymandering in our Constitution. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

But Democrats called DeSantis’ planned mid-decade redistricting unconstitutional, especially because of the Fair Districts constitutional amendment, which voters approved in 2010 and specifically prohibits partisan gerrymandering. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

More than 60% of voters approved the Fair Districts Amendment in 2010, which bans partisan gerrymandering and redrawing maps to dilute the power of racial minorities. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

The state outlaws political gerrymandering, or redrawing lines for partisan gain. —Douglas Soule, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

gerrymander entry 2 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gerrymandering

• meandering
• philandering
• pandering
• slandering