Ballot
/ˈbælət/
nounBeginner📊CommonProcess
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A device or method for secret voting, typically a piece of paper on which a voter marks their choice.
/ˈbælət/
nounneutralBeginner
Process
A process or document used for voting.
The ballot box was overflowing with votes.
💡 Simply: A piece of paper you use to vote.
More Examples
2
She carefully marked her ballot and deposited it in the box.
How It's Used
Politics
"The election results were determined by the secret ballot."
Elections
"Each voter received a ballot containing the names of the candidates."
From Old French *balote, diminutive of *balle "ball," ultimately from Vulgar Latin *balla, from Greek βάλλω (bállō) "to throw."
The use of ballots has evolved from early forms of open voting to the modern secret ballot system.
Memory tip
Imagine a small ball (ballot) being secretly cast into a box.
Word Origin
LanguageOld French
Original meaning
"ball"
secret ballotballot boxcast a ballot
Common misspellings
balotballett
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written