elective

1 of 2

adjective

elec·​tive i-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce elective (audio)
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

elective

2 of 2

noun

: an elective course or subject

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Hoover and Trump became president after winning their first campaigns for elective office, and both entered the White House as wealthy men. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 Among the most important was the elimination in the 2023-24 academic year of the elective class in which the yearbook was produced, replacing it with an extracurricular activity club. Jasmine Sessoms, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
Basically, those are college prep courses in history/social science, English, math, a foreign language, a laboratory science, visual and performing arts, and a college preparatory elective. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 That streak snapped a 30-year elective drought that included nine straight Republican wins. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elective 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elective was circa 1531

Dictionary Entries Near elective

Cite this Entry

“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elective. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

elective

1 of 2 adjective
elec·​tive i-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce elective (audio)
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 How to pronounce elective (audio)
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

Legal Definition

elective

adjective
elec·​tive
1
a
: chosen 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 compare compulsory
b
: available as a choice
elective insurance coverage
c
: beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival
elective surgery

More from Merriam-Webster on elective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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