elect

¹

[ih-lekt]

verb (used with object)

1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office.

   to elect a mayor.

2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

3. to pick out; choose.

   First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

4. Theology.,  (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun).

   the governor-elect.

2. select or choice.

   an elect circle of artists.

3. Theology.,  chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun

1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

2. Theology.,  a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

elect.

²

Or elec

abbreviation

1. electric.

2. electrical.

3. electrician.

4. electricity.

elect

/ ɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. (tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting

   they elected him Mayor

2. to select; choose

   to elect to die rather than surrender

3. (tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

adjective

1. (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed

   the president elect

2. 1. chosen or choice; selected or elite

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

3. Christianity

   1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the elect

Other Word Forms

• electee noun
• nonelect noun
• preelect verb (used with object)
• reelect verb (used with object)
• electability noun
• electable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin ēlēctus “chosen” (past participle of ēligere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + leg- “choose” + -tus past participle suffix; e- ¹, elite

Word History and Origins

Origin of elect¹

C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

Jones was elected for the Conservatives in 2021 to serve South Wales East - she defected at the Royal Welsh Show in the summer.

From BBC

If she’s elected to Congress, Gonzales-Torres said her first priority would be to go after corporations that are “raising prices for everyday people” and their lobbyists who distort the political process in Washington.

From Salon

“If there is a reasonable conservative Democrat,” this person said, “they could get elected, except in the deepest of red districts, and even that could change.”

From Salon

She has also stepped down as deputy Labour leader, a position to which she was elected by party members.

From BBC

In her 20s, she became a full-time union official and eventually, after battles over working conditions and zero-hour contracts, rose to the most senior elected role in Unison in north-west England.

From BBC

Related Words

• accept 
• admit 
• appoint 
• conclude 
• designate 
• determine 
• name 
• nominate 
• pick 
• receive 
• resolve 
• take 
• vote 
• vote for www.thesaurus.com