elect

electverb

1. choose by votingchoose someone for an official job or position by voting

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + noun complement [V + obj + noun] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object + as + noun or adjective [V + obj + as]

   • The town elects a new mayor every four years. V + obj
   • She was elected president of the club. V + obj + noun (passive)
   • He was elected to the city council last year. V + obj + prep + obj (passive)
   • They elected him as their leader. V + obj + as

   Collocations

   phrase be newly elected, be democratically elected, be directly elected

   verb + noun elect a president, elect a leader, elect a government

   verb + preposition elect someone to something, elect someone as something

   Compare vote (you vote for someone; the people who vote elect them); choose; appoint (someone is appointed by a person or group, not by a vote)

2. decidechoose to do something

   transitive [T] verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf] formal

   • Many of the workers elected to stay at home. V + to-inf
   • She elected not to answer the question. V + to-inf (with not)

   Collocations

   phrase elect to stay, elect to leave, elect not to do something

   Synonyms choose; decide

See also vote