voted; voting; votes
1
: to cast or conduct a vote
The class voted by a show of hands.
They encouraged everyone to vote in the presidential election.
She always votes Republican/Democratic.
The committee voted on the proposal.
The committee voted against the proposal.
The committee voted for the proposal. = The committee voted in favor of the proposal.
The Senate voted 51 to 100 to pass the bill.
Some representatives voted with the opposing party.
The jury voted for acquittal.
Who votes for going out to dinner tonight? [=who wants to go out to dinner tonight?]
2
a
: to vote in a way that helps one financially
"… What happens if you vote with your wallet this election year? We'll look at how the numbers in the leading candidate's tax plans add up for you and the nation. …"—
Gayle King
Gayle King"… The economy was doing well and people often vote with their pocketbooks. …"—Tara Setmayer
Tara Setmayer
b
: to express an opinion
If our customers don't like our products, they will vote with their wallets/pocketbooks. [=they will not buy our products]
"Consumers vote with their dollars and corporations listen," [Bettina] Siegel tells Newsweek …—Elijah Wolfson
Elijah WolfsonWhen the restaurant changed its menu, many former customers voted with their feet.[=expressed their disapproval or dissatisfaction by leaving]
1
: to choose, endorse, decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize (someone or something) by vote
He was voted out of office.
Legislators voted the bill into law.
The contestant was voted off the show.
It was voted that residents will have to pay a trash collection fee.
The issue was finally settled by a joint resolution … voting appropriations for the damages …—Gerald P. Fogarty
Gerald P. FogartyThe proposal was voted down.
She was voted in (as vice president) last year.
She was voted out (of office) last year.
They were voted on/onto the committee.
The proposal was voted through. [=the proposal was passed]
2
3
a
: to cause (someone) to vote in a given way
b
: to cause (something, such as a proxy vote) to be cast for or against a proposal
4
: to vote in accordance with or in the interest of
vote your conscience
People tend to vote their pocketbooks/wallets.
plural votes
1
a
: a usually formal expression of opinion or will in response to a proposed decision
especially
: one given as an indication of approval or disapproval of a proposal, motion, or candidate for office
An Oregon City Schools operations levy appeared poised for defeat with 2,119 votes against and 1,630 votes in favor. —Kate Snyder
Kate Snyder
b
: the total number of such expressions of opinion made known at a single time (as at an election)
—usually used with the
tallying the vote
The candidate won only 10 percent of the vote.
c
: an expression of opinion or preference that resembles a vote
a vote of support/thanks
d
: ballot sense 1
counting the votes
People waited in line to cast their votes.
2
: the collective opinion or verdict of a body of persons expressed by voting : the result of a vote
The vote was in his favor.
She won by a vote of 206 to 57.
3
: the right to cast a vote
specifically
: the right of suffrage : franchise
—usually used with the
In 1920, American women won the vote.
4
a
: the act or process of voting
Let's take a vote.
brought the question to a vote
The issue never came to a vote.
The referendum will be put to a vote.
b
: a method of voting
The amendment was passed by a voice vote.
5
: a formal expression of a wish, will, or choice voted by a meeting
The congressional votes in January authorizing U.S. military action before the ground war began have probably set a precedent …, according to [Les] Aspin.—Don Oberdorfer
Don Oberdorfer6
a
: voter
the undecided votes
b
: a group of voters with some common and identifying characteristics
the labor vote
made appeals to the youth/independent vote
c
: the whole group of people in an area who have the right to vote
Volunteers for her campaign helped get out the vote [=persuade people to go vote] on Election Day.
7
chiefly British
a
: a proposition to be voted on
especially
: a legislative money item
b
: appropriation
… prisons had to be equipped and staff paid out of the annual votes for the naval services.—Olive Anderson
see also casting vote, vote of no confidence
Olive AndersonExamples of vote in a Sentence
Verb
Citizens will vote today for their new governor.
Did you vote in the last election?
The committee hasn't yet voted on the matter.
Congress voted 121 to 16 to pass the bill.
He voted against the proposal.
They voted the referendum into law.
Senators voted themselves a pay raise despite the budget shortfall.
We have to decide what to do about dinner. I vote that we get a pizza.
Noun
They are counting the votes now.
There are 20 votes in favor and 12 against.
He got 56 percent of the votes.
She's campaigning hard to raise money and win votes.
People waited in line to cast their votes.
I cast my vote for the Republican candidate.
The vote was in her favor.
She won by a vote of 206 to 57.
In 1920, American women won the vote.
The candidate won only 10 percent of the vote.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
Senate Republicans narrowly voted on Saturday to advance the bill to enact Trump’s agenda.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 June 2025
Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 30 June 2025
The issue, though, is that the liberals do not have enough votes to override Lamont’s vetoes.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vote
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Ohtani, who finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting in 2022, got strike one on a 99.2 mph fastball.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
Senate Republicans narrowly voted on Saturday to advance the bill to enact Trump’s agenda.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 June 2025
Noun
The tax and domestic policy bill nearing a vote by Senate Republicans includes hundreds of provisions, including extended and expanded tax cuts and significant cuts to Medicaid, food benefits and other programs.
—Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 30 June 2025
The issue, though, is that the liberals do not have enough votes to override Lamont’s vetoes.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vote
Cite this Entry
“Vote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vote. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vote
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a formal expression of opinion or will (as by ballot in an election)
b
: the result reached by voting
2
: the general opinion expressed by voters
the vote is to lower taxes
3
: the right to cast a vote : suffrage
gave women the vote
4
a
: the act or process of voting
bring the issue to a vote
b
: a method of voting
a voice vote
5
a
: voter
b
: a group of voters with a common interest or quality
the farm vote
voteless
adjective
-ləs
vote
2 of 2 verb
voted; voting
1
: to express one's wish or choice by a vote : cast a vote
2
: to elect, decide, pass, defeat, grant, or make legal by a vote
3
: to declare by general agreement
4
: to put forth as a suggestion
I vote we all go home
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