elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural electors

1

: a person qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.

—Allyson Waller

3

: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arizona is one of seven states that Trump lost in 2020 where his allies are accused of schemes to put up alternate electors for the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, when lawmakers met to count the Electoral College votes. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 21 May 2024

Kelli Ward, fake elector: A former chair of the Arizona GOP, Ward organized the Dec. 14, 2020, signing of the fake electors. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elector

• faithless elector

Kids Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

: one qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

Legal Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor

1

: a person who is qualified to vote

2

: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.