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election

noun
elec·​tion | \ i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio) \

Definition of election

1a : an act or process of electing the election of a new governor
b : the fact of being elected her election to the Senate
2 : predestination to eternal life
3 : the right, power, or privilege of making a choice
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about election

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Choose the Right Synonym for election

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. freedom of choice option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. the option of paying now or later alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. equally attractive alternatives preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. a preference for cool weather selection implies a range of choice. a varied selection of furniture election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of election in a Sentence

He's favored to win the election. The scandal may affect his chances for election. Her election to the Senate was a surprise to many.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Don't believe the national narrative that Ohio isn't a key state in the 2020 presidential election, state Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper told That's So Cincinnati podcast this week. — Cincinnati.com, "Ohio Democrats' strategy to defeat Donald Trump: Be the 'firewall' and 'left tackle' for Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania," 4 Sep. 2019 Reed's attorney in this case is Michael Adams, who is the current Republican nominee for secretary of state in the election this fall. — Joe Sonka, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville Metro Council member fined for 2016 campaign finance violations," 4 Sep. 2019 Jeff Zoltowski, who brought his wife and three of his children to the same event, voted for Donald Trump in the last election. — Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, "A Fresh, Well-Funded Start for Pete Buttigieg in Iowa," 4 Sep. 2019 All seven council seats are up for election this fall. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland.com, "Four candidates run for three at-large Broadview Heights City Council seats Nov. 5; early voting starts Oct. 8," 3 Sep. 2019 Meanwhile, in a boost for the democracy movement, a court decided that Demosisto activist Agnes Chow, 22, was eligible to stand for election to the enclave’s legislature. — Time Staff, Time, "Students Boycott Classes on the First Day of the School Year in Hong Kong's Latest Democracy Protest," 2 Sep. 2019 There will be a trade deal with China before the election. — Nr Staff, National Review, "Episode 162: Gaffe-Prone, but Going Strong," 30 Aug. 2019 Take Hungary, where Fidesz, the ruling party, has used its parliamentary majority to capture regulators, dominate business, control the courts, buy the media and manipulate the rules for elections. — The Economist, "The corrupting of democracy," 29 Aug. 2019 On Friday, Parker also signed onto a letter from 30 members of the House Republican Caucus calling for the upcoming election of a caucus vice chairman to be held in person. — James Barragán, Dallas News, "As GOP leaders call for release of secret meeting audio, activist says Texas Rangers already have it," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'election.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of election

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for election

election

noun
How to pronounce election (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of election

: the act or process of choosing someone for a public office by voting
: the fact of being elected

See the full definition for election in the English Language Learners Dictionary

election

noun
elec·​tion | \ i-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce election (audio) \

Kids Definition of election

: an act of choosing or the fact of being chosen especially by vote

election

noun
elec·​tion

Legal Definition of election

1a : the act or process of electing
b : an instance of the electorate voting for candidates for an elective office
c : the fact of being elected
2 : the right, power, or privilege of making a choice: as
a : the right of a spouse to choose a statutorily prescribed amount of a deceased spouse's estate or whatever was devised to him or her under the will
b : the right of a person who has an interest in property that a deceased has disposed of by will either to claim his or her right to the property or to accept what he or she was devised under the will instead
c : the right of a party to a contract that has been breached by the other party to choose to continue or terminate the contract — see also election of remedies, equitable election

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