general election

noun

: an election usually held at regular intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state

Examples of general election in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The controversy alienated even our party’s most loyal supporters who felt that party bosses, not Democratic primary voters, were deciding which candidate would emerge in the general election as the Democratic nominee. Ken Martin, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 Lake then narrowly lost to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) in the general election. Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 In the general election, Lago defeated opponent Kirk Menendez, who had opted not to run for reelection to his position as commissioner and vowed to restore civility to the commission if elected as mayor. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025 Both parties have large fields of candidates already seeking one of the two general election slots. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for general election

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of general election was in 1640

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Cite this Entry

“General election.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20election. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

general election

noun
: an election usually held at regular intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most constituencies of a nation or state

More from Merriam-Webster on general election

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