Explanation at your level:
To ballot means to vote. You use a piece of paper to say who you want. It is a secret way to choose something together.
When a group needs to make a big choice, they ballot. This means they hold a formal vote. Everyone writes their choice on a paper so no one else knows what they picked.
The verb ballot is used when an organization or union asks its members to vote on a specific issue. It is a structured process to ensure everyone has a say in a fair and private way.
Using ballot as a verb implies a more formal or administrative procedure than simply 'voting.' It is frequently used in labor relations or corporate governance where the voting process must be documented and official.
In advanced contexts, ballot functions as a technical term for the administration of a vote. It emphasizes the procedural aspect of democracy, often highlighting the security and anonymity of the process in high-stakes environments.
Historically rooted in the Venetian practice of using small balls for selection, ballot has evolved into a sophisticated verb denoting the systematic solicitation of collective opinion. It carries connotations of institutional legitimacy and procedural integrity, often appearing in political science or legal discourse.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Ballot means to conduct a secret vote.
- It is used in formal or union settings.
- It comes from the Italian for 'little ball'.
- It is a transitive verb.
When you ballot a group, you are essentially organizing a formal way for them to express their choice. Think of it as the process behind the scenes of an election or a major decision.
It is not just about the act of voting itself, but the systematic process of gathering those votes. You will often hear this used in professional or union settings where a specific group needs to come to a consensus on a contract or a new leader.
The word ballot comes from the Italian word ballotta, which means a 'little ball.' In the old days, people literally used small balls to cast their votes!
If you wanted to vote 'yes,' you might drop a white ball into a box, and for 'no,' a black ball. This is where we get the phrase 'blackballing' someone. Over time, the word evolved from the physical object to the entire process of voting.
You will mostly see this word in formal or organizational contexts. It is common to say 'the union will ballot its members' to decide on a strike.
It is rarely used in casual conversation. If you are talking to friends about picking a movie, you would say 'let's vote,' not 'let's ballot.' Reserve this word for official, structured, or legal group decisions.
1. Cast a ballot: To officially submit your vote. Example: Every citizen has the right to cast a ballot.
2. Ballot box: The container for votes. Example: The results were tallied from the ballot box.
3. Mail-in ballot: A vote sent via post. Example: Many people prefer the convenience of a mail-in ballot.
4. Secret ballot: A vote where your choice is hidden. Example: The union insisted on a secret ballot.
5. Ballot stuffing: Illegally adding fake votes. Example: The election was marred by allegations of ballot stuffing.
As a verb, ballot is regular. The past tense is balloted and the present participle is balloting.
Pronounced /ˈbælət/ in both US and UK English, it rhymes with 'mallet' and 'wallet.' The stress is on the first syllable. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes an object, such as 'The committee balloted the members.'
Fun Fact
The word comes from using small balls to vote in ancient times.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound followed by 'let'
Clear 'a' sound like in 'cat'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'ballet'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Adding an extra vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
I balloted them.
Regular Verbs
balloted
Passive Voice
They were balloted.
Examples by Level
We will ballot today.
We will vote today.
Verb usage.
The class will ballot.
We ballot for a leader.
They ballot in secret.
I ballot for my choice.
We must ballot now.
Do we ballot today?
They ballot every year.
The union will ballot all members.
They decided to ballot the staff.
We need to ballot on this issue.
The board will ballot next week.
Did they ballot the employees?
Everyone will ballot in private.
The group will ballot for a new chair.
We ballot to be fair.
The management agreed to ballot the workers.
The association will ballot its members on the new policy.
They were asked to ballot on the proposed changes.
The committee will ballot to select a representative.
We will ballot the entire department tomorrow.
The union is set to ballot on the strike action.
They had to ballot twice to reach a decision.
It is standard practice to ballot before major changes.
The organization will ballot the membership to ratify the agreement.
They decided to ballot the shareholders regarding the merger.
The council will ballot on the new zoning laws.
It is essential to ballot the stakeholders to ensure transparency.
The union leadership will ballot the workers on the new contract.
They were forced to ballot again due to a technical error.
The process requires them to ballot in a secure environment.
The club will ballot the members at the annual meeting.
The senate will ballot on the amendment later this afternoon.
The union leadership opted to ballot the rank-and-file members.
They will ballot the electorate to gauge public sentiment.
The board must ballot the investors before proceeding.
The committee will ballot on the motion during the session.
They plan to ballot the delegates to ensure a fair outcome.
The union will ballot the workforce to authorize the strike.
It is mandatory to ballot the members for such significant changes.
The association will ballot the constituents to ascertain their stance on the policy.
They will ballot the membership to ratify the proposed constitutional changes.
The commission will ballot the stakeholders to finalize the project scope.
The union intended to ballot the employees to validate the collective bargaining agreement.
The board will ballot the shareholders to approve the acquisition.
They will ballot the delegates to determine the party platform.
The committee will ballot the members to confirm the new leadership.
It is imperative to ballot the collective to maintain democratic legitimacy.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"cast a ballot"
to vote
I cast my ballot early.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Both mean choosing.
Vote is general; ballot is formal/procedural.
We voted (general) vs. We balloted the members (formal).
Both involve asking for opinions.
Poll is often to see what people think; ballot is to make a decision.
We polled the public (survey) vs. We balloted the members (decision).
Both involve choosing.
Elect is for people; ballot is for the process.
We elected him (person) vs. We balloted on the motion (process).
Both mean choosing.
Select is individual; ballot is collective.
I selected a pen vs. We balloted the group.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + ballot + object
The union will ballot the staff.
Subject + ballot + on + noun
They will ballot on the new law.
Subject + be + balloted
The members were balloted.
Subject + ballot + to + verb
They will ballot to decide.
Subject + ballot + for + noun
They ballot for a leader.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Ballot can be both, but don't confuse the action with the object.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a ballot box in your office.
Workplace context
Use it when talking about union votes.
Democracy
It is a cornerstone of democratic processes.
Verb form
Remember to double the 't' when adding 'ing' or 'ed' if stressed, but here it is 'balloted'.
Rhyme
Rhymes with mallet.
Don't confuse
Don't use it for casual decisions.
Etymology
Comes from little balls.
Flashcards
Use it in a sentence about a union.
Formal tone
Use it in reports.
Transitive
It usually needs an object.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'ball' in a 'lot' of boxes.
Visual Association
A box filled with small colored balls.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word 'ballot' in a sentence about a club election.
Word Origin
Italian
Original meaning: Little ball
Cultural Context
None
Highly associated with union and political elections.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- ballot the employees
- ballot on the contract
- union ballot
Politics
- ballot the voters
- secret ballot
- cast a ballot
Clubs
- ballot the members
- annual ballot
Meetings
- call for a ballot
- conduct a ballot
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever participated in a formal ballot?"
"Why do you think secret ballots are important?"
"How does your company make big decisions?"
"What is the difference between a poll and a ballot?"
"Do you prefer voting in person or by mail?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to vote for something important.
Why is the process of balloting important for unions?
Imagine a world without secret ballots.
How would you explain the word 'ballot' to a younger sibling?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is both!
It is better to use 'vote' for casual things.
Usually, yes.
Mostly in work or politics.
Balloted.
You ballot people to elect them.
Used in both.
The box where you put your vote.
Test Yourself
We will ___ on the new plan.
Ballot means to vote.
What does to ballot mean?
It refers to the act of voting.
You use a ballot to make a group decision.
It is a formal way to decide.
Word
Meaning
Matches words to meanings.
The members will ballot.
Score: /5
Summary
To ballot is to hold a formal, secret vote to reach a group decision.
- Ballot means to conduct a secret vote.
- It is used in formal or union settings.
- It comes from the Italian for 'little ball'.
- It is a transitive verb.
Memory Palace
Imagine a ballot box in your office.
Workplace context
Use it when talking about union votes.
Democracy
It is a cornerstone of democratic processes.
Verb form
Remember to double the 't' when adding 'ing' or 'ed' if stressed, but here it is 'balloted'.
Example
The local sports club decided to ballot its members to see if they wanted to renovate the clubhouse.
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