elects; elected; electing
1
: to select (someone) for a position, job, etc., by voting
She was elected (as) senator. = She was elected to the Senate.
He hopes to be elected to the committee.
an elected official
2
somewhat formal
: to choose to do (something)
—followed by to + verb
We elected [=decided] to stay home.
: people who belong to a special group and have privileges that other people do not have
His new status earned him a place among the city's elect. [=(more commonly) elite]
always used after a noun
: having been elected : chosen for a public office but not yet holding that office
the governor elect
—often hyphenatedthe president-elect
Cite this Entry
“Elect.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/elect. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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