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 nonpartisan race has its primary in August and general election in November. Annalise Frank, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025 Eliminating primaries when two or fewer people run would save on election costs and avoid the redundancy of two candidates running against each other twice — once in the primary with no consequences, and then again in the November general election to determine the winner. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 School board elections Senate Bill 287, authored by Byrne, Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, and Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, would change the school board election process to that of other elections, which would include a primary and general election. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 The two Republican candidates will move on to face Democratic opponents in a special general election on April 1, and will be strongly favored in districts that lean heavily Republican. Kellen Browning, New York Times, 29 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near general election

Cite this Entry

“General election.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20election. Accessed 16 Feb. 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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