vote

verb

ˈvōt 

voted; voting; votes

intransitive verb

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

"… The economy was doing well and people often vote with their pocketbooks. …"

—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

When the restaurant changed its menu, many former customers voted with their feet.[=expressed their disapproval or dissatisfaction by leaving]

transitive verb

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

The 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

a

: to adjudge (something) by general agreement : declare

Everyone voted that it was the best tea this year.

—André Bieler

b

: to offer (something) as a suggestion : propose

I vote we all go home.

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.

Synonyms of vote

• propose
• suggest
• pose
• offer

Examples of vote in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Monday, the Plano City Council will vote on an agreement for the Stars to build a new arena at the Willow Bend Mall site. —S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 9 June 2026

The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to put the measure on the ballot, with an allocation plan that will move revenue primarily to nonprofit health care providers and county health departments and hospitals, but also to Planned Parenthood and city health care departments in Pasadena and Long Beach. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026

The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday to implement a 150-day moratorium on data centers after months of debate over how to handle the increasingly controversial projects. —Mary Ramsey updated June 8, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026

The Board of Education voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the new policy, which applies to both district-run and charter schools. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing vote

• by a vote of
• casting vote
• get out the vote
• re-vote
• straw vote
• the vote
• voice vote
• vote along party lines
• vote-a-rama
• vote of confidence
• vote of no confidence
• vote of nonconfidence
• vote one's conscience

Rhymes for vote

• bloat
• boat
• choate
• coat
• cote
• dote
• float
• gloat
• goat
• groat
• haute
• moat

Kids Definition

vote

1 of 2 noun

ˈvōt 

1

a

: a formal expression of opinion or will (as by ballot in an election)

b

: the result reached by voting

c

: ballot entry 1 sense 1

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

-ləs

adjective

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

Legal Definition

vote

1 of 2 noun

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

b

: the total number of such votes made known at a single time

got half the vote

2

: the collective opinion or preference of a body of persons expressed by voting

3

: the right to cast a vote

specifically : the right of suffrage

4

a

: the act or process of voting

brought the question to a vote

b

: a method of voting

vote

2 of 2 verb

voted; voting

intransitive verb

a

: to cast or conduct a vote

vote for acquittal

b

: to exercise a political franchise

encourage people to vote

transitive verb

1

: to choose, endorse, decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize by vote

vote an appropriation

2

: to cast votes on a corporate matter on the basis of

voted their shares against the proposed merger

Etymology

Latin votum vow, hope, wish