hustings

noun

hus·​tings ˈhə-stiŋz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

a

: a local court formerly held in various English municipalities and still held infrequently in London

b

: a local court in some cities in Virginia

2

a

: a raised platform used until 1872 for the nomination of candidates for the British Parliament and for election speeches

b

: an election platform : stump

c

: the proceedings or locale of an election campaign

Did you know?

Hustings are where babies are kissed, flesh is pressed, and media events are staged. The term traces to an Old Norse word meaning "house assembly," and 1000 years ago hustings were judicial assemblies where Anglo-Saxon kings and their followers held council and resolved civil disputes. Over time, "hustings" came to refer not only to the assembly but also to the platform where the leaders of such gatherings sat, and in due course the term was applied to the entire campaigning process as well. Nowadays, "on the hustings" is synonymous with "on the stump," and it can refer to any place along the campaign trail where a candidate makes a pitch for public office.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hūsting, from Old Norse hūsthing, from hūs house + thing assembly

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hustings

• on the hustings
• the hustings

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Kids Definition

hustings

plural noun

hus·​tings ˈhəs-tiŋz 

: a place where political campaign speeches are made

Etymology

Old English hūsting "local court or assembly," from early Norse hūsthing "an assembly of the king's council," literally, "house assembly," from hūs "house" and thing "assembly"