electoral

adjective

elec·​tor·​al i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce electoral (audio)
ˌē-lek-ˈtȯr-əl
1
: of or relating to an elector
the electoral vote
2
: of or relating to election
an electoral system
electorally
i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rə-lē How to pronounce electoral (audio) ˌē-lek-ˈtȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce electoral (audio)
adverb

Examples of electoral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And so in facing the same electoral choices as last time, Nigerians are limited to the same set of ideas ill-suited against worsening problems. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 The addition of a recall mechanism would technically be a change to the city’s electoral system. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The electoral landscape in the state has shifted since 2018, when voters last weighed in on open races for all of the top statewide offices of governor, attorney general and secretary of state. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The video may be somewhat cringe-worthy but Hochul aides often promote her upstate folksy style as a big part of her electoral appeal, along with her focus on everyday issues that some politicians ignore. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for electoral

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of electoral was in 1675

Phrases Containing electoral

Rhymes for electoral

See All Rhymes for electoral

Browse Nearby Words

elector
electoral
electoral college
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electoral. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

electoral

adjective
elec·​tor·​al i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce electoral (audio)
: of or relating to an election or electors
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All