elect
ih-LEHKT
Elect (verb) means to choose someone for a position through a vote. Example: “Residents will elect a new committee at the annual meeting.”
verb
1
To choose someone for a position through a vote.
"Residents will elect a new committee at the annual meeting."
"The members elected a new chairperson at the meeting."
"She was elected mayor for the third time."
2
To choose or decide to do something.
"Many passengers elect to travel by train instead of driving."
"You may elect to pay monthly or in one go."
"He elected to stay home rather than travel in the storm."
adjective
1
Chosen for a role but not yet officially in it.
"The chairman-elect is already planning changes for the next term."
"The governor-elect met staff before officially starting the job."
"The president-elect will take office in January."
How to use elect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo choose someone by vote, or more generally, to decide to do something.
Common pairings
elect a president
elect to do something
president-elect
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Word forms
- Plural
- elects
- Third person singular
- elects
- Past tense
- elected
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Residents will _____ a new committee at the annual meeting.
Etymology
From Latin electus, "chosen," the past participle of eligere, "to pick out."
Related words
Rhymes for elect
See all rhymes for elect →Frequently asked questions
What does “elect” mean?
The word “elect” means to choose someone for a position through a vote. In plain terms, to choose someone by vote, or more generally, to decide to do something.
How do you pronounce “elect”?
“Elect” is pronounced ih-LEHKT (/ɪˈlɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “elect” in a sentence?
Here is “elect” used in a sentence: “The members elected a new chairperson at the meeting.”
What is the opposite of “elect”?
The opposite of “elect” — its antonyms — is reprobate.
What part of speech is “elect”?
Depending on how it is used, “elect” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “elect” come from?
The word “elect” comes from Latin. From Latin electus, "chosen," the past participle of eligere, "to pick out.".
Is “elect” a common word?
“Elect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “elect” have?
“Elect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to choose someone for a position through a vote.
Why does "elect" come after the noun in "president-elect"?
In "president-elect," "elect" is a postpositive adjective — one placed after the noun it modifies, a pattern English preserves in a few fixed expressions such as "heir apparent" and "attorney general." It is normally attached with a hyphen. Elsewhere, "elect" works as an ordinary verb.
Can you "elect" to do something without a vote?
Yes. Besides its voting sense, "elect" means to choose or decide formally: "she elected to take early retirement," "patients may elect to pay privately." This use is formal in register; in everyday speech "choose" or "decide" is more natural.
What is the difference between elect and select?
"Elect" usually implies choosing someone for a position by voting, or formally opting for a course of action. "Select" means to choose carefully from a group and carries no suggestion of voting: a committee selects a shortlist, then members elect a winner. All electing is choosing, but electing typically involves a formal or collective decision.
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