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
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.
Privert who oversaw the country’s last general elections in 2016, has been sanctioned by Canada. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 In many ways, that makes the upcoming general elections, the first since the attack, a referendum on his leadership. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 So far, neither American Conservative Fund nor its subsidiaries are running general election ads on Google or Meta platforms. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Federal law entitles candidates to broadcasters' lowest unit rate during the final 60 days before a general election; outside groups get no such protection. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for general election

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Browse Nearby Words

general education
general election
general endorsement
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Cite this Entry

“General election.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general%20election. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about general election

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