1
: carefully selected : chosen
2
: chosen for salvation through divine mercy
3
a
: chosen for office or position but not yet installed
the president-elect
b
: chosen for marriage at some future time
the bride-elect
plural elect
1
: one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
2
elects plural
: a select or exclusive group of people
elected; electing; elects
1
: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership
elected her class president
2
: to make a selection of
will elect an academic program
3
: to choose (something, such as a course of action) especially by preference
might elect to sell the business
: to make a selection
Synonyms
Adjective
Noun
- A-list
- aristocracy
- best
- choice
- corps d'elite
- cream
- crème de la crème
- elite
- fat
- flower
- illuminati
- pick
- pink
- pride
- priesthood
- prime
- royalty
- upper crust
Verb
Examples of elect in a Sentence
Adjective
this elect body of students represents the best that the nation's high schools have to offer
Noun
the members of this all-American team are the elect of collegiate football
Verb
He hopes to be elected to the committee.
I've elected to study French as my foreign language.
Recent Examples on the Web
Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2011
But, proving that ticket-splitting is alive and well in New Hampshire, four out of five voters also opted to re-elect Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.
—Katie McInerney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Nov. 2022
Carol Schram, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Second lady elect Usha Vance opted for a pink tea-length Oscar de la Renta coat and taupe boots.
—Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Frank was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of American Legion Post 92 in North Judson for more than 75 years and was elected Starke County Clerk in 1970 and Starke County Recorder in 1978 as well as a member of our Mint Festival Committee for many decades.
—Phil Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elect 
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Adjective
And a little more than half the country will call him crazy and re-elect President Obama.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2011
But, proving that ticket-splitting is alive and well in New Hampshire, four out of five voters also opted to re-elect Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.
—Katie McInerney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Nov. 2022
Noun
With every point so critical, will coach Martin St. Louis elect to give Dobes more starts — or perhaps even a run of games at some point?
—Carol Schram, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Second lady elect Usha Vance opted for a pink tea-length Oscar de la Renta coat and taupe boots.
—Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
The movie, which is adapted from author Robert Harris' 2016 novel of the same name, follows a group of Catholic cardinals who gather in modern-day Vatican City to elect a new pope in the days following a pope's death.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Frank was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of American Legion Post 92 in North Judson for more than 75 years and was elected Starke County Clerk in 1970 and Starke County Recorder in 1978 as well as a member of our Mint Festival Committee for many decades.
—Phil Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elect
Articles Related to elect
Dictionary Entries Near elect
Cite this Entry
“Elect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elect. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elect
1 of 3 adjective1
: carefully selected
2
: chosen for office but not yet holding office
president-elect
elect
2 of 3 plural noun
: a carefully chosen group
—used with the
elect
3 of 3 verb1
: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership
elect a senator
2
: select entry 1, choose
we elected to stay home
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