election
C1Formal, official, political, and academic; also used in everyday contexts when discussing civic events.
Definition
Meaning
The formal process of choosing a person or group for a political office or other position by voting.
Any process involving a choice or selection between options or candidates.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to a public, organised event. Can be metaphorical (e.g., 'election to an honorary society'). The related verb is 'to elect'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in terminology (e.g., UK 'general election', US 'presidential/midterm election'). The process and concept are identical. Spelling of derived words: UK 'by-election', US 'special election'.
Connotations
Largely identical. Carries strong connotations of democracy, civic duty, and political competition.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, especially in news and political discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
election of [person] as [position]election to [body/institution]election for [position/office]election in [place/time]election on [issue/date]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A foregone conclusion (for an election with a certain outcome)”
- “Swing voter”
- “To be on the ballot”
- “To throw one's hat in the ring (to run)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used, except for shareholder elections or electing board members.
Academic
Frequent in political science, history, and sociology to discuss democratic processes, electoral systems, and outcomes.
Everyday
Common when discussing current events, politics, or local community decisions.
Technical
Used in legal/political contexts with precise definitions (e.g., 'first-past-the-post election', 'proportional representation election').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will elect a new chairperson.
- She was elected to Parliament in 2019.
American English
- The board will elect new officers next week.
- He was elected to the Senate.
adverb
British English
- He was elected unopposed.
- The measure was approved democratically, via election.
American English
- She was elected unanimously.
- The candidate ran successfully.
adjective
British English
- The electoral register needs updating.
- The electoral system is under review.
American English
- The electoral college is a unique institution.
- Electoral reform is a key issue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The election is on Thursday.
- People vote in an election.
- The presidential election was very close.
- Our town will hold a local election next month.
- The outcome of the general election will determine the country's direction for the next five years.
- Allegations of election fraud undermined public confidence in the result.
- The snap election called by the Prime Minister was widely seen as a cynical political manoeuvre.
- Analysts are studying the demographic shifts that influenced the electoral realignment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Elect' + 'ion'. You make a SELECTION by ELECTion.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTION IS A CONTEST / RACE / BATTLE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'выбор' meaning 'choice' in a general sense. 'Election' is specifically a formal, organized vote. The Russian word 'электорат' comes from the same root but means 'electorate' (the voters), not the election itself.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'election' for a simple, informal choice (e.g., 'I made an election about what to eat' - INCORRECT). Missing article: 'The election will be held in May' (not 'Election will be held...').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'election' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Election' implies a formal vote, often public or democratic. 'Selection' is a broader term for choosing, often made by an individual or small group without a vote.
No, but it is most common in political contexts. It can be used for any formal voting process, such as electing members to a society, club, or corporate board.
No, 'election' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to elect' (e.g., 'They will elect a leader').
It is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled general elections.
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