SINCE 1828

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on the ballot

idiom

Definition of on the ballot

: to be subject to a vote in an election

The issue was on the ballot in November.

Word by Word Definitions

ballot play

: a small ball used in secret voting
: a sheet of paper used to cast a secret vote
: the action or system of secret voting

: to vote or decide by ballot

See the full definition of ballot

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

petard

play

a case containing an explosive

Words at Play

12 Words from All Over the Map

Some words say exactly where they're from

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'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

One's clever, the other's like a child

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A Matter-of-Fact Look at 'Deadpan'

Surely we can be serious.

9 Words from the Magical Realm

When language is magic

Ask the Editors

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Ghost Word

The story of an imaginary word that managed to sneak past our editors and enter the dictionary.

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

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Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

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Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

We’re already at the end of May?!

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Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

How familiar are you with Nabokov’s unfamiliar vocabulary?

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Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

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Citation

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