elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural electors

1

: a person qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.

—Allyson Waller

3

: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The issue will be on the ballot if a petition filed with the city clerk is signed by 15% of qualified electors. — Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

After the 2020 election, the six Republican electors gathered outside of the Nevada Legislature to sign a certificate giving the state’s six electoral votes to Trump, despite Biden winning the state by more than 30,000 votes. — Jessica Hill, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Robert Piva, 67, of Roseville, was charged with one count each of election law perjury, unqualified elector attempting to vote and election law – fraudulent registration. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Charles then turned to the definition of the German constitution, particularly the rights of the electors, in the Golden Bull of 1356. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elector

• faithless elector

Rhymes for elector

• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• erector

Kids Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

: one qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

Legal Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor

1

: a person who is qualified to vote

2

: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.