Election: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ณ๏ธ
election
[ษชหlษkส(ษ)n ]
Definitions
political process
An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| election |
Use when referring to the process of selecting a candidate for a public office or position through a formal voting process.
|
| vote |
Used when discussing the act of casting a choice in an election or decision-making process. Can be a verb or a noun.
|
| ballot |
Appropriate when talking about the physical or electronic form used to cast a vote in an election.
|
| poll |
Commonly used in the context of measuring public opinion through surveys, rather than the formal voting process. Can also refer to the place where voting happens, though this is less common.
|
Examples of usage
- The presidential election is held every four years in the United States.
- People are encouraged to participate in the election process.
- Voting is a fundamental right in a democracy.
event
An election can also refer to a specific event where voting takes place to determine a winner.
Synonyms
election day, voting.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| election |
Used when referring to the process of choosing someone for a public office or other position by voting.
|
Examples of usage
- The election results were announced last night.
- She won the election by a narrow margin.
- The local election is scheduled for next month.
selection process
In a broader sense, an election can be seen as a selection process where choices are made.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| election |
Used when talking about a formal process where people vote to choose a leader or representative.
|
| choice |
Used when referring to the act of choosing between different options or possibilities.
|
| decision |
Used in contexts where a person or group is making a resolution or conclusion after considering different factors.
|
| selection |
Used when referring to picking something from a larger group, often based on specific criteria.
|
Examples of usage
- The company's board of directors election was conducted smoothly.
- The election of a new CEO is a critical decision for the company.
- There was a unanimous election of the committee chairperson.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term 'election' comes from the Latin word 'electio', meaning 'to choose', and has been used since ancient Rome.
- Democratic elections as a formal practice evolved in ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, where citizens participated directly.
- In the 19th century, universal suffrage began to spread, allowing more people to vote regardless of wealth or property.
Political Science
- Many different voting systems exist, including first-past-the-post, ranked choice, and proportional representation, each affecting the election outcome differently.
- The concept of 'swing states' in elections refers to states where both major political parties have similar levels of support, making them crucial for determining overall results.
- Campaigns in elections often use various strategies, including media advertisements, debates, and grassroots organizing to persuade voters.
Culture
- In many cultures, elections are accompanied by festivals, parades, or gatherings, celebrating democratic participation and civic engagement.
- Political humor and satire often flourish during election season, with comedians and artists critiquing candidates and policies.
- Polling places can become community hubs during elections, where people gather not only to vote but also to socialize and discuss issues.
Technology
- Digital platforms and social media have transformed modern elections, allowing candidates to reach voters directly without traditional media filters.
- Electronic voting machines have been adopted in many regions to improve counting efficiency and voter accessibility, though they have raised concerns about security.
- Data analytics plays a significant role in contemporary campaigns, helping candidates understand voter behavior and tailor messages geolocation.
Psychology
- Research shows that emotions play a strong role in voter decision-making, influencing perceptions of candidates beyond just their policies.
- Social identity impacts how individuals vote; people often align their choices based on group affiliations like race, religion, or political beliefs.
- The concept of 'confirmation bias' suggests that voters tend to seek out information that supports their existing views, which can shape election outcomes.
Translations
Translations of the word "election" in other languages:
๐ต๐น eleiรงรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคจเคพเคต
๐ฉ๐ช Wahl
๐ฎ๐ฉ pemilihan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒะธะฑะพัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ wybory
๐ฏ๐ต ้ธๆ (ใใใใ)
๐ซ๐ท รฉlection
๐ช๐ธ elecciรณn
๐น๐ท seรงim
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๊ฑฐ (seongeo)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุชุฎุงุจุงุช (intikhabat)
๐จ๐ฟ volby
๐ธ๐ฐ voฤพby
๐จ๐ณ ้ไธพ (xuวnjว)
๐ธ๐ฎ volitve
๐ฎ๐ธ kosning
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐะนะปะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแ แฉแแแแแแ (archevnebi)
๐ฆ๐ฟ seรงki
๐ฒ๐ฝ elecciรณn