to choose or select by vote, as for an office: to elect a mayor.
to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).
to pick out; choose: First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.
Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.
verb (used without object)
to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.
adjective
selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun): the governor-elect.
select or choice: an elect circle of artists.
Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.
nounthe elect,
a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.
Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.
Origin of elect
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; see e-1, elite
synonym study for elect
3. See choose.
OTHER WORDS FROM elect
e·lec·tee[ih-lek-tee], /ɪ lɛkˈti/, nounnon·e·lect,nounpre·e·lect,verb (used with object)re·e·lect,verb (used with object)
Words nearby elect
Eleanor of Provence, e-learning, Eleatic, Eleazar, elecampane, elect, electable, elected, election, election cake, Election Day
They are still on Pennsylvania's ballot, but Democrats have appealed a lower court's decision to the state Supreme Court, where their party has elected a majority of the justices.
The Trailer: The First State goes last|David Weigel|September 15, 2020|Washington Post
While most are partisan elected officials, they are expected to carry out policies that benefit everyone.
No Democrats Allowed: A Conservative Lawyer Holds Secret Voter Fraud Meetings With State Election Officials|by Mike Spies, Jake Pearson and Jessica Huseman|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden has promised to make “the largest-ever investment in clean energy research and innovation” if he is elected.
To confront the climate crisis, the US should launch a National Energy Innovation Mission|Amy Nordrum|September 15, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The chef is focused on advocating for the industry with elected officials, pushing for government assistance, and trying to create solidarity within the sector.
Momofuku’s David Chang on the big changes the restaurant industry needs to make to survive|Beth Kowitt|September 14, 2020|Fortune
California finished the year without passing major police and housing reforms but with plenty of demand that elected officials go back and complete what they started.
Morning Report: Oceanside Reboots Top Cop Search|Voice of San Diego|September 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego
In a large society, there is just no way, no theoretical way, to choose, to elect, normal people.
Is It Time to Take a Chance on Random Representatives?|Michael Schulson|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It takes a lot of Democrats to elect a Republican in one of these places,” said John McLaughlin, a Republican pollster.
Return of the Northeastern Republican|David Freedlander|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This year, it has 50 field organizers working to elect Malloy and progressive legislators.
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since then, it has served to elect Democrats who can only win if they roll up big margins among women.
Dems Desperately Seeking the Gender Gap|Eleanor Clift|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To make this happen, we have to elect legislators who are willing to stand up to the gun lobby.
Use Your Vote to Take Stand Against Domestic Violence|Shannon Watts|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile Mr. Krone, with an imprecation, declares he has power to elect his candidate to the Senate.
An Outcast|F. Colburn Adams
And most often whilst society dines or dances and the elect applaud with languid grace the newest play by Mr. Bernard Shaw.
The Heart of a Woman|Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
They met once a year in a recognised civic assembly to elect four Syndics to be their rulers and representatives.
A History of the Reformation (Vol. 2 of 2)|Thomas M. Lindsay
It had seemed just as well to these members to elect themselves as anybody else.
In a Little Town|Rupert Hughes
Only a few days before she had resigned all hope of even going, but through the magic of Grace Harlowe she was among the elect.
Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College|Jessie Graham Flower
British Dictionary definitions for elect
elect
/ (ɪˈlɛkt) /
verb
(tr)to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by votingthey elected him Mayor
to select; chooseto elect to die rather than surrender
(tr)(of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation
adjective
(immediately postpositive)voted into office but not yet installedthe president elect
chosen or choice; selected or elite
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the elect
Christianity
selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the elect
Derived forms of elect
electable, adjectiveelectability, noun
Word Origin for elect
C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose