vote

1 of 2

verb

ˈvōt 

voted; voting; votes

intransitive verb

1

: to cast or conduct a vote

The class voted by a show of hands.

They encouraged everyone to vote in the presidential election.

She always votes Republican/Democratic.

The committee voted on the proposal.

The committee voted against the proposal.

The committee voted for the proposal. = The committee voted in favor of the proposal.

The Senate voted 51 to 100 to pass the bill.

Some representatives voted with the opposing party.

The jury voted for acquittal.

Who votes for going out to dinner tonight? [=who wants to go out to dinner tonight?]

2

a

: to vote in a way that helps one financially

"… What happens if you vote with your wallet this election year? We'll look at how the numbers in the leading candidate's tax plans add up for you and the nation. …"

—Gayle King

"… The economy was doing well and people often vote with their pocketbooks. …"

—Tara Setmayer

b

: to express an opinion

If our customers don't like our products, they will vote with their wallets/pocketbooks. [=they will not buy our products]

"Consumers vote with their dollars and corporations listen," [Bettina] Siegel tells Newsweek …

—Elijah Wolfson

When the restaurant changed its menu, many former customers voted with their feet.[=expressed their disapproval or dissatisfaction by leaving]

transitive verb

1

: to choose, endorse, decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize (someone or something) by vote

He was voted out of office.

Legislators voted the bill into law.

The contestant was voted off the show.

It was voted that residents will have to pay a trash collection fee.

The issue was finally settled by a joint resolution … voting appropriations for the damages …

—Gerald P. Fogarty

The proposal was voted down.

She was voted in (as vice president) last year.

She was voted out (of office) last year.

They were voted on/onto the committee.

The proposal was voted through. [=the proposal was passed]

2

a

: to adjudge (something) by general agreement : declare

Everyone voted that it was the best tea this year.

—André Bieler

b

: to offer (something) as a suggestion : propose

I vote we all go home.

3

a

: to cause (someone) to vote in a given way

b

: to cause (something, such as a proxy vote) to be cast for or against a proposal

4

: to vote in accordance with or in the interest of

vote your conscience

People tend to vote their pocketbooks/wallets.

vote

2 of 2

noun

plural votes

1

a

: a usually formal expression of opinion or will in response to a proposed decision

especially : one given as an indication of approval or disapproval of a proposal, motion, or candidate for office

An Oregon City Schools operations levy appeared poised for defeat with 2,119 votes against and 1,630 votes in favor.

—Kate Snyder

b

: the total number of such expressions of opinion made known at a single time (as at an election)

—usually used with the

tallying the vote

The candidate won only 10 percent of the vote.

c

: an expression of opinion or preference that resembles a vote

a vote of support/thanks

d

: ballot sense 1

counting the votes

People waited in line to cast their votes.

2

: the collective opinion or verdict of a body of persons expressed by voting : the result of a vote

The vote was in his favor.

She won by a vote of 206 to 57.

3

: the right to cast a vote

specifically : the right of suffrage : franchise

—usually used with the

In 1920, American women won the vote.

4

a

: the act or process of voting

Let's take a vote.

brought the question to a vote

The issue never came to a vote.

The referendum will be put to a vote.

b

: a method of voting

The amendment was passed by a voice vote.

5

: a formal expression of a wish, will, or choice voted by a meeting

The congressional votes in January authorizing U.S. military action before the ground war began have probably set a precedent …, according to [Les] Aspin.

—Don Oberdorfer

6

a

: voter

the undecided votes

b

: a group of voters with some common and identifying characteristics

the labor vote

made appeals to the youth/independent vote

c

: the whole group of people in an area who have the right to vote

Volunteers for her campaign helped get out the vote [=persuade people to go vote] on Election Day.

7

chiefly British

a

: a proposition to be voted on

especially : a legislative money item

b

: appropriation

… prisons had to be equipped and staff paid out of the annual votes for the naval services.

—Olive Anderson

see also casting vote, vote of no confidence

Synonyms

Verb

• advance
• bounce
• offer
• pose
• proffer
• propose
• propound
• suggest

Noun

• ballot
• enfranchisement
• franchise
• suffrage

Examples of vote in a Sentence

Verb

Citizens will vote today for their new governor.

Did you vote in the last election?

The committee hasn't yet voted on the matter.

Congress voted 121 to 16 to pass the bill.

He voted against the proposal.

They voted the referendum into law.

Senators voted themselves a pay raise despite the budget shortfall.

We have to decide what to do about dinner. I vote that we get a pizza.

Noun

They are counting the votes now.

There are 20 votes in favor and 12 against.

He got 56 percent of the votes.

She's campaigning hard to raise money and win votes.

People waited in line to cast their votes.

I cast my vote for the Republican candidate.

The vote was in her favor.

She won by a vote of 206 to 57.

In 1920, American women won the vote.

The candidate won only 10 percent of the vote.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Reagan appointee is a lifelong Republican who voted for neither Trump nor Harris by writing in Nikki Haley. —Richard Stacy, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2024

These are the Electoral College votes a candidate needs to win the presidency. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

Following his strong performance in the March primary, George Casey, an ally of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and business organizations, has jumped out and continued to build a commanding lead, 58.5% to 41.5%, in District 10 over incumbent Arjun Batra with 29,000 votes cast in the district. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

The registrar will release the next tally of votes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English (Scots), from Latin votum vow, wish — more at vow

First Known Use

Verb

1549, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing vote

• by a vote of
• casting vote
• get out the vote
• re-vote
• straw vote
• the vote
• voice vote
• vote along party lines
• vote-a-rama
• vote of confidence
• vote of no confidence
• vote of nonconfidence
• vote one's conscience
• vote their pocketbooks/wallets
• vote with their dollars
• vote with their pocketbooks
• vote with their wallets/pocketbooks
• vote with your wallet

Kids Definition

vote

1 of 2 noun

ˈvōt 

1

a

: a formal expression of opinion or will (as by ballot in an election)

b

: the result reached by voting

c

: ballot entry 1 sense 1

2

: the general opinion expressed by voters

the vote is to lower taxes

3

: the right to cast a vote : suffrage

gave women the vote

4

a

: the act or process of voting

bring the issue to a vote

b

: a method of voting

a voice vote

5

a

: voter

b

: a group of voters with a common interest or quality

the farm vote

voteless

-ləs

adjective

vote

2 of 2 verb

voted; voting

1

: to express one's wish or choice by a vote : cast a vote

2

: to elect, decide, pass, defeat, grant, or make legal by a vote

3

: to declare by general agreement

4

: to put forth as a suggestion

I vote we all go home

Legal Definition

vote

1 of 2 noun

1

a

: a usually formal expression of opinion or will in response to a proposed decision

especially : one given as an indication of approval or disapproval of a proposal, motion, or candidate for office

b

: the total number of such votes made known at a single time

got half the vote

2

: the collective opinion or preference of a body of persons expressed by voting

3

: the right to cast a vote

specifically : the right of suffrage

4

a

: the act or process of voting

brought the question to a vote

b

: a method of voting

vote

2 of 2 verb

voted; voting

intransitive verb

a

: to cast or conduct a vote

vote for acquittal

b

: to exercise a political franchise

encourage people to vote

transitive verb

1

: to choose, endorse, decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize by vote

vote an appropriation

2

: to cast votes on a corporate matter on the basis of

voted their shares against the proposed merger

Etymology

Noun

Latin votum vow, hope, wish