election

noun

elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən 

1

a

: 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

• choice
• choosing
• picking
• selecting
• selection

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump was convicted in Manhattan on May 30 of 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal a conspiracy to unlawfully interfere in the 2016 presidential election through a scheme involving hush money paid to Daniels. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

The 2024 election has brought significant changes, with Donald Trump returning to the White House after securing both the popular vote and the Electoral College. —Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Growing up, millennials experienced contentious 2000 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections, the events of September 11, 2001, a war on terror that cost trillions and lasted two decades, and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Days after Trump won the presidential election, Bezalel Smotrich -- Israel's far-right finance minister -- announced at a press conference that he's ordered preparations for the annexation of settlements in the West Bank. —Britt Clennett, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing election

• bye-election
• by-election
• general election
• pre-election

Kids Definition

election

noun

elec·​tion i-ˈlek-shən 

1

: an act or process of electing

especially : the process of voting to choose a person for office

the election of a new governor

2

: the fact of being elected

her election to the presidency

Legal Definition

election

noun

elec·​tion

1

a

: 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