ballot
BA-luht
Ballot (noun) means a paper or card used to cast a vote, or the act of voting itself. Example: “Please fold your ballot once before putting it in the box.”
noun
1
A paper or card used to cast a vote, or the act of voting itself.
"Please fold your ballot once before putting it in the box."
"Voters marked their choice on the ballot and dropped it in the box."
"The union held a secret ballot on whether to strike."
verb
1
To vote on something, or to ask a group to vote.
"The council will ballot residents on the proposed car park next month."
"Staff were balloted about whether to accept the new working hours."
"Members will be balloted on the new pay offer next week."
How to use ballot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal vote, usually by paper or card, or the process of holding one.
Common pairings
secret ballot
postal ballot
cast a ballot
ballot box
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Word forms
- Plural
- ballots
- Third person singular
- ballots
- Past tense
- balloted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please fold your _____ once before putting it in the box.
Etymology
From Italian ballotta, "little ball" — small balls were once dropped into a container to register votes in secret.
Related words
Rhymes for ballot
See all rhymes for ballot →Frequently asked questions
What does “ballot” mean?
The word “ballot” means a paper or card used to cast a vote, or the act of voting itself. In plain terms, a formal vote, usually by paper or card, or the process of holding one.
How do you pronounce “ballot”?
“Ballot” is pronounced BA-luht (/ˈbælət/ in IPA).
How do you use “ballot” in a sentence?
Here is “ballot” used in a sentence: “Voters marked their choice on the ballot and dropped it in the box.”
What part of speech is “ballot”?
Depending on how it is used, “ballot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ballot” come from?
The word “ballot” comes from Italian. From Italian ballotta, "little ball" — small balls were once dropped into a container to register votes in secret.
Is “ballot” a common word?
“Ballot” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ballot” have?
“Ballot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a paper or card used to cast a vote, or the act of voting itself.
What is the difference between a ballot and a vote?
A vote is the choice a person expresses, while a ballot is the paper or card used to record that choice, or the round of voting itself. That is why English says you cast a ballot to register your vote.
What is a secret ballot?
A secret ballot is a voting method in which each ballot is completed anonymously, so nobody can link a ballot paper to the person who cast it. It is designed to protect voters from pressure, bribery, or retaliation.
What is the difference between a ballot and a poll?
A ballot is the slip used for voting or the act of voting itself, while a poll is the voting process or place, as in going to the polls, or a survey of opinion. An opinion poll only samples views, whereas a ballot formally records votes.
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