elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv 
1
a
: chosen or filled by popular election
an elective official
b
: of or relating to election
c
: based on the right or principle of election
the presidency is an elective office
2
a
: permitting a choice : optional
an elective course in school
b(1)
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective hip surgery
elective tonsillectomy
elective cosmetic procedures
(2)
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
an elective surgical unit
(3)
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
elective orthopedic patients
3
a
: tending to operate on one substance rather than another
elective absorption
b
: favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic
an elective affinity
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
: an elective course or subject
Synonyms
Examples of elective in a Sentence
Adjective
He's never held an elective office.
Plastic surgery is elective surgery.
She took three elective courses last term.
Noun
She's taking several electives this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Because the country's health system is founded on the principle of access and not ability to pay, many Canadians who can afford American healthcare will often travel south to the U.S. for elective procedures.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 25 Nov. 2024
That streak snapped a 30-year elective drought that included nine straight Republican wins.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective 
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Adjective
Other stubborn problems—low birth rates, underemployment among the college-educated, a doctors’ strike that has effectively halted elective medical procedures—have gone largely unaddressed.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Because the country's health system is founded on the principle of access and not ability to pay, many Canadians who can afford American healthcare will often travel south to the U.S. for elective procedures.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Religious release time allows students to leave during the day for religious instruction, typically during an elective or lunch.
—Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 25 Nov. 2024
That streak snapped a 30-year elective drought that included nine straight Republican wins.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective
Dictionary Entries Near elective
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elective. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elective
1 of 2 adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: chosen by election
an elective official
2
: held by a person who is elected
the presidency is an elective office
3
: followed or taken by choice : not required
an elective subject in school
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
elective
2 of 2 noun
: an elective course or subject in school
Medical Definition
elective
adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective knee surgery
elective tonsillectomy
2
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
elective surgical units
3
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
an elective orthopedic patient
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