elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər How to pronounce elector (audio)
-ˌtȯr
plural electors
Synonyms of electornext
1
: a person qualified to vote in an election
2
: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college
When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.—Allyson Waller
3
: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From there, according to state law, the committee would have another 60 days to gather signatures from at least 15% of the city’s electors — or approximately 4,800 voters in Coral Gables. —Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024 After hearing evidence, the grand jury will decide what, if any, criminal charges the slate of electors should face. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024 After 1800, presidential electors cast votes for slates of president and vice president—the system that persists to the present day. —TIME, 4 Apr. 2024 Behind the scenes, Mr. Windom had begun joining with investigators from other agencies, including the Postal Service, to track the trail of fake electors. —Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 More:Wisconsin's Andrew Hitt discusses the 'fake elector' scheme with Anderson Cooper of '60 Minutes' Republicans have also struggled to win key statewide races over the last several years. —Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2024 Be sure to keep an eye on the election as time passes, however, as electors die and their successors may change their vote. —Barry Collins, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Gillen said the accusation that Shafer and others were impersonating a public officer, namely a presidential elector, does not hold water because electors are not considered public officers. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 29 Mar. 2024 But Vice President Mike Pence refused to participate in recognizing the fake electors when certifying the vote Jan. 6, 2021. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elector.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elector was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing elector

Dictionary Entries Near elector

elective

elector

electoral

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Elector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elector. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

elector

noun
elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər How to pronounce elector (audio)
-ˌtȯ(ə)r
1
: one qualified to vote in an election
2
: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.

Legal Definition

elector

noun
elec·​tor
1
: a person who is qualified to vote
2
: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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