election
An election is when people vote to choose a leader or a person for a job.
Explanation at your level:
An election is when people vote. You vote for a person. That person becomes a leader. It happens in schools and countries. It is a very important day.
An election is a way to choose a leader. People go to a place to vote. They pick the person they like best. The person with the most votes wins the election.
An election is a formal process where citizens vote to choose representatives. It is how democratic countries pick their leaders. People campaign to explain their ideas before the election day.
An election is the fundamental mechanism of democracy. It allows the public to hold officials accountable. During an election cycle, candidates debate, and the public evaluates their platforms before casting their ballots.
An election represents the collective will of the electorate. It is a structured process that legitimizes political power. Beyond simple voting, it involves complex logistics, media coverage, and public discourse, serving as a barometer for the political climate of a nation.
An election is the institutionalized method of selecting individuals for governance or specific mandates. It is a cornerstone of political science, representing the intersection of civic duty and power dynamics. The term can also denote the theological concept of divine choice, historically significant in religious discourse, highlighting the word's evolution from sacred selection to secular democratic practice.
Word in 30 Seconds
- An election is a voting process.
- It is used to choose leaders.
- Commonly used in politics.
- The verb form is 'elect'.
Think of an election as the ultimate way for a group of people to have their say. Whether it is choosing a class president at school or a national leader for a country, the process is designed to be fair and transparent.
At its heart, an election is about choice. It gives individuals the power to influence the future by casting a vote for the person or policy they believe in most. In a democratic society, this is the primary tool we use to hold leaders accountable.
It is not just about the final result; it is about the entire process. This includes campaigning, debating ideas, and finally, the act of voting itself. When we say someone won an election, we mean they received the most support from the voters involved.
The word election has a deep history rooted in Latin. It comes from the verb eligere, which means 'to pick out' or 'to choose.' The prefix ex- means 'out' and legere means 'to gather' or 'to pick.'
Historically, the term has been used since the 13th century in English, often in religious contexts before it became the standard term for political voting. It reflects the idea that when you vote, you are 'selecting' or 'picking out' the best person from a group of candidates.
Fun fact: In ancient times, some civilizations used pebbles or pottery shards to cast votes, which is where the word ballot comes from—it actually comes from the Italian word ballotta, meaning a small ball!
You will hear election used most often in news and political discussions. Common collocations include general election, presidential election, and to hold an election.
In formal contexts, you might say, 'The election results were certified.' In casual conversation, you might simply say, 'Are you going to vote in the election?' The register is generally neutral to formal, as it relates to civic duty.
Be careful not to confuse it with 'selection.' While they sound similar, an election is specifically about voting, while a selection might be a choice made by a single person or a small committee without a public vote.
While 'election' itself isn't always in an idiom, it appears in phrases like:
- Election fever: When everyone is excited and talking about an upcoming vote.
- Swing the election: To change the outcome of a vote.
- Landslide victory: Winning an election by a huge margin.
- Rig the election: To dishonestly influence the result of a vote.
- Throw one's hat in the ring: To announce that you are running for office in an election.
The word election is a countable noun, meaning you can have 'one election' or 'many elections.' The stress falls on the second syllable: e-LEC-tion.
In IPA, it is /ɪˈlek.ʃən/ in both British and American English. It rhymes with words like direction, selection, and connection.
Grammatically, it is often used with articles: 'The election is tomorrow' or 'An election was held.' You will often see it followed by prepositions like 'for' (an election for mayor) or 'in' (the election in November).
Fun Fact
The root 'legere' is also in 'lecture' and 'legend'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'e' sound, stress on 'lec'.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 'tion' ending.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'tion' as 'shun' too softly.
- Adding an extra syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common word
Useful in essays
Used in daily talk
Common in media
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
The election is over.
Articles
An election.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Elections are held.
Examples by Level
The election is today.
The / vote / is / today.
Use 'the' for a specific event.
I like this election.
I / like / this / vote.
Demonstrative pronoun.
Who won the election?
Who / won / the / vote?
Past tense verb.
We have an election.
We / have / an / election.
Indefinite article.
The election is long.
The / vote / is / long.
Adjective usage.
Go to the election.
Go / to / the / vote.
Imperative.
He likes the election.
He / likes / the / vote.
Subject-verb agreement.
Is the election fun?
Is / the / vote / fun?
Question structure.
The election will be in May.
Many people went to the election.
She won the school election.
The election results are here.
I am excited for the election.
The election is very important.
We talked about the election.
He is running in the election.
The general election is held every four years.
Voters are preparing for the upcoming election.
The candidate lost the election by a small margin.
She was surprised by the election results.
The media is covering the election closely.
We need to ensure the election is fair.
He decided to participate in the local election.
The election campaign lasted for six months.
The incumbent president is seeking re-election.
The election was marred by allegations of fraud.
Public opinion shifted just before the election.
The turnout for this election was record-breaking.
He is a veteran of many election cycles.
The committee is overseeing the election process.
The election outcome will impact the economy.
She has been a volunteer for the election.
The election served as a referendum on the current administration's policies.
The opposition party is gearing up for a contentious election.
The integrity of the election is paramount to a stable democracy.
He analyzed the demographic trends that influenced the election.
The election results triggered widespread protests.
Legislators are debating new laws to protect the election process.
The political landscape changed drastically after the election.
She is an expert on international election monitoring.
The election was a watershed moment in the nation's political history.
The rhetoric used during the election was highly polarized.
The constitutional crisis threatened to derail the scheduled election.
The election underscored the deep-seated divisions within the electorate.
He provided a nuanced critique of the election's outcome.
The election process is a complex interplay of legal and social factors.
The legitimacy of the election was questioned by international observers.
The election cycle has become increasingly protracted in recent years.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Election fever"
A state of excitement regarding an election.
The whole city has election fever.
casual"Swing the election"
To change the result of a vote.
These new voters could swing the election.
neutral"Landslide victory"
Winning by a very large margin.
She won the election in a landslide victory.
neutral"Throw one's hat in the ring"
To announce candidacy.
He decided to throw his hat in the ring.
neutral"Run for office"
To be a candidate in an election.
She is running for office this year.
neutral"Cast a ballot"
To vote.
I went to cast a ballot this morning.
formalEasily Confused
Similar ending
Election is voting, selection is picking
The election of the mayor vs. the selection of the team.
Same root
Electorate is the group of voters
The electorate voted today.
Same word family
Elect is the verb
We will elect a new leader.
Same root
Electoral is an adjective
The electoral process.
Sentence Patterns
The election for [position] is [time].
The election for mayor is tomorrow.
She won the election by [amount].
She won the election by a landslide.
We are holding an election to [verb].
We are holding an election to choose a leader.
The results of the election were [adjective].
The results of the election were surprising.
He is running in the election for [position].
He is running in the election for president.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Election is only a noun.
Selection is just choosing.
Election is singular.
It needs a determiner.
Elections require a vote.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a ballot box in your living room.
Native Usage
Use 'hold an election' for official events.
Cultural Insight
Elections are often on Tuesdays in the US.
Grammar Shortcut
Election is a noun, elect is the verb.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Mistake
Don't use 'election' as a verb.
Did You Know?
The word comes from Latin 'eligere'.
Study Smart
Read news articles about elections.
Rhyme Time
Rhyme with selection.
Context
Use in political discussions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
E-LECT-ION: Everyone LECTures, then we choose.
Visual Association
A ballot box with a checkmark.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about a fictional election.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To pick out or gather.
Cultural Context
Political topics can be sensitive; keep discussions objective.
Elections are a major part of public life in the UK, USA, and Canada.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Politics
- campaign trail
- voter turnout
- ballot box
School
- class president
- student council
- vote now
News
- breaking news
- election results
- polling station
Work
- union representative
- board member
- vote of confidence
Conversation Starters
"Do you think elections are important?"
"Have you ever voted in an election?"
"What makes a good election candidate?"
"How often are elections held in your country?"
"What do you think about the latest election results?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your first memory of an election.
If you could run for office, what would you change?
Why is voting important for a society?
Describe what happens on election day.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a noun. The verb is 'elect'.
An elector is a person who votes.
Yes, it is the plural form.
Usually, but can refer to any choosing process.
e-LEC-tion.
The period of time during which an election occurs.
A preliminary vote to choose a candidate.
Yes.
Test Yourself
The ___ is today.
Election fits the context of voting.
What is an election?
An election is a voting process.
An election is a way to choose a leader.
That is the definition.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms to concepts.
Subject-verb-object order.
Score: /5
Summary
An election is the formal process of using your vote to choose who will lead or represent you.
- An election is a voting process.
- It is used to choose leaders.
- Commonly used in politics.
- The verb form is 'elect'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a ballot box in your living room.
Native Usage
Use 'hold an election' for official events.
Cultural Insight
Elections are often on Tuesdays in the US.
Grammar Shortcut
Election is a noun, elect is the verb.
Example
I am going to vote in the local election tomorrow morning.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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A1A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party. It acts as a guide for decision-making and describes the rules that must be followed.
