election

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A formal event in which people vote to choose someone for a political office or position.

   Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or in the plural: an election, general elections.

   Patterns

   • hold an election
   • win an election
   • call an election
   • election for something

   The country will hold a general election in May.

   She won the election by a small margin.

   Elections for the school council take place every year.

2. 2noununcountable

   The act of choosing someone for a position by voting, or the fact of being chosen.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or 'the' when referring to the process in general.

   Patterns

   • by election
   • through election

   The position is filled by election, not by appointment.

   He came to power through election, not inheritance.

Word forms

Common combinations

general election

A general election is held every four years.

presidential election

The presidential election attracted worldwide attention.

win an election

The party hopes to win the election.

call an election

The prime minister decided to call an election.

election campaign

The election campaign lasted three months.

election results

The election results were announced this morning.

Synonyms and how they differ

vote

Refers to the act of voting or the total number of votes, not the whole event.

poll

Often means the voting day or the counting of votes; can also mean a survey.

ballot

The system or piece of paper used for voting, not the event itself.

Word family

elect verb

To choose by voting.

elector noun

A person who votes in an election.

electoral adjective

Relating to elections or voting.

elective adjective

Chosen by voting; also, optional.

Commonly confused: election or selection?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “election”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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