electorate

noun

elec·​tor·​ate i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce electorate (audio)
1
: the territory, jurisdiction, or dignity of a German elector
2
: a body of people entitled to vote

Examples of electorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sullivan and Peltola have already faced off this year, but Thursday's debate was widely seen as the most significant for the general electorate. — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 An anti-establishment mood among the electorate, as evidenced by upsets in primaries earlier this year, could spell unexpected trouble for some incumbents, UNC Charlotte political scientist Eric Heberlig noted. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 Given that genuinely undecided voters are scarce — as little as 5% to 7% of the electorate, according to major polls — both Democrats and Republicans must look to mobilize their rank-and-file supporters. — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026 This series focuses on parts of the electorate that could play key roles in shaping the results. — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for electorate

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of electorate was in 1675

Rhymes for electorate

See All Rhymes for electorate

Browse Nearby Words

electorally
electorate
electorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electorate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

electorate

noun
elec·​tor·​ate i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce electorate (audio)
: a body of people entitled to vote

Legal Definition

electorate

noun
elec·​tor·​ate
: a body of people entitled to vote
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All