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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots. 2009: Chicago residents dug a little deeper into their wallets to pay for city parking, as rates increased due to the city’s lopsided parking meter deal. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025 This was the first year where states were required to certify their electoral votes by a specific day: Six days before the electors are required to meet to cast the state’s votes, which is on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. — Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2025 In 2022, Congress passed a law clarifying how states certify their electors and the vice president's role in counting electoral votes on Jan. 6. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025 The eligible participants are known as cardinal electors and are limited to 120. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elector

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

Rhymes for elector

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Browse Nearby Words

elective
elector
electoral
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elector. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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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 person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on elector

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elector

Nglish: Translation of elector for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elector

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