superdelegate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Political
Quick answer
What does “superdelegate” mean?
A delegate to a U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A delegate to a U.S. Democratic Party presidential nominating convention who is seated automatically and not bound by state primary or caucus results.
An unelected party official or elected officeholder who, by virtue of their status, has a guaranteed vote in the selection of a presidential candidate, allowing them to potentially influence the outcome independently of the popular vote.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively American. It is not used in British political discourse, as the UK does not have comparable delegate-based presidential nomination conventions.
Connotations
In American usage, can carry connotations of elite influence, lack of democratic accountability, or party establishment power, depending on context.
Frequency
Frequency spikes dramatically during U.S. presidential election cycles, especially in competitive Democratic primaries. Virtually zero frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “superdelegate” in a Sentence
[Candidate] secured/courted/won the support of key superdelegates.The superdelegates are expected to [vote/lean/decide] for [Candidate].[Number] superdelegates have already [endorsed/pledged].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “superdelegate” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The campaign is working to superdelegate key states early. (rare, informal)
adjective
American English
- The superdelegate vote could be decisive.
- They discussed superdelegate reform.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in political science papers analyzing U.S. primary systems, democratic theory, and party structures.
Everyday
Used in news reports, political commentary, and discussions during U.S. Democratic presidential primaries.
Technical
Precise term within the rulebooks and procedures of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “superdelegate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “superdelegate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “superdelegate”
- Using it to refer to Republican delegates (the GOP has a different system of unbound delegates, but the formal term 'superdelegate' is Democratic).
- Spelling as two words: 'super delegate'.
- Using it generically for any important delegate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Republican Party does not use the term or have an identical system. They have unbound delegates (like party leaders) but in much smaller numbers and without the formal 'superdelegate' label.
Yes, they are officially unpledged and can support any candidate, though party rules and norms influence their choices.
They were introduced after the 1980 election to give party leaders and elected officials (seen as having a stake in the party's success) a stronger voice in the nomination, preventing a candidate perceived as unelectable from winning.
Yes, following criticism in the 2016 election, the Democratic Party reformed its rules significantly for 2020 and beyond, reducing the influence of superdelegates. They now only vote on the first ballot at the convention if a candidate has already secured a majority of pledged delegates through primaries and caucuses.
A delegate to a U.
Superdelegate is usually technical/political in register.
Superdelegate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəˌdɛlɪɡət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpɚˌdɛləɡət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the superdelegate scramble”
- “to lock down the superdelegates”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think SUPERvisor + DELEGATE: A super-delegate supervises or overrides the regular delegate process based on their high party status.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICS IS A GAME WITH SPECIAL PLAYERS (superdelegates are 'wild cards' or 'game-changers').
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a Democratic superdelegate?