WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026e•lect /ɪˈlɛkt/USA pronunciation v.
- Governmentto choose or select by vote: [~ + object]The voters elect a new mayor tomorrow.[~ + object + object]They elected her mayor.
- to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.);
choose: [~ + to + verb]I elected not to take the job because it involved too much traveling.
adj.
- Government selected for an office, but not yet at work or sworn in:[after a noun]the governor-elect.
elect is a verb, election is a noun, elective is an adjective and a noun:They elected him president. His election was a surprise. He took elective courses. He took several electives.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026e•lect
(i lekt′),USA pronunciation v.t.
- Governmentto 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.
- Religion[Theol.](of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, esp. for salvation.
v.i.
- Governmentto choose or select someone or something, as by voting.
adj.
- Governmentselected, 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.
- Religion[Theol.]chosen by God, esp. for eternal life.
n. the elect:
- a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.
- Religion[Theol.]a person or persons chosen by God, esp. for favor or salvation.
- Latin ēlēctus chosen (past participle of ēligere), equivalent. to ē- e- + leg- choose + -tus past participle suffix; see elite
- Middle English 1250–1300
- Electricityelectric.
- Electricityelectrical.
- Electricityelectrician.
- Electricityelectricity.
Also, elec.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
elect /ɪˈlɛkt/ vb - (transitive) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting: they elected him Mayor
- to select; choose: to elect to die rather than surrender
- (transitive) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation
adj - (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed: the president elect
- chosen or choice; selected or elite
- (as collective noun; preceded by the): the elect
- selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
- (as collective noun; preceded by the): the elect
Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to chooseeˈlectable adj eˌlectaˈbility n
'elect' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):