Elect
/ɪˈlekt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo select (someone) for an office or other position by voting.
/ɪˈlekt/
To choose someone to hold public office or some other position by voting.
The people will elect a new president next year.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a school election and you vote for who you want to be class president. You're electing someone!
👶 For kids: To choose someone by voting.
More Examples
We elected Sarah as the class representative.
The committee elected a new chairperson.
How It's Used
"The citizens elect their representatives."
"The board will elect a new president next month."
To make a decision from available options.
/ɪˈlekt/
To make a choice from a range of options.
She elected to study abroad.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a choice between going to the movies or staying home. You can 'elect' to do one or the other, meaning you choose it!
👶 For kids: To choose to do something.
More Examples
After careful consideration, he elected to retire early.
They elected to pursue legal action.
How It's Used
"He elected to remain silent."
"The company elected arbitration."
Chosen for an office or position but not yet in office.
/ɪˈlekt/
Chosen for a position but not yet in office.
The president-elect is preparing for his inauguration.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone wins an election, but they don't get to be in charge yet. They are the 'president-elect' until they officially start their job.
👶 For kids: Chosen but not in the job yet.
More Examples
The prime minister-elect announced his cabinet choices.
The senator-elect is visiting Washington.
How It's Used
"The president-elect will take office next year."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
elect someone to office
To choose someone to fill a position by voting in an election.
"The citizens will elect their new mayor to office next month."
president-elect
The person who has been elected president but has not yet taken office.
"The president-elect is currently assembling their cabinet."
From Latin *ēligere* 'to choose, select', from *ē-* (variant of *ex-* 'out of') + *legere* 'to gather, choose'.
The word 'elect' has been used since the 14th century, originally with a religious context of being chosen by God, later extending to secular political contexts.