ENGLISH
REFERENCE

elected

v. · adj. · n.
US //ɪˈɫɛktəd// UK //ɪlˈɛktɪd// elect·ed
  1. 1 chosen by vote (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to have been chosen for a position because people voted for you.

    the past participle of 'elect', indicating the selection of a candidate for office through a formal voting process.

    Example

    She was elected as the new class president by a large majority.

    Example

    After a long and difficult campaign, he was finally elected to the city council with nearly sixty percent of the popular vote.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice with 'as' or 'to'.

  2. 2 not yet in office (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes someone who has won an election but has not officially started their new job yet.

    denoting a person who has been chosen for a position but has not yet been inaugurated or assumed the duties of office.

    Example

    The president-elected spent the weeks before the ceremony planning his new team.

    Example

    The governor-elected met with the outgoing administration to ensure a smooth transition of power before the January inauguration.

    Usage

    Usually follows the noun it modifies, often hyphenated as in 'president-elect'.

Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 the chosen ones (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary Religion

    a group of people who have been specially chosen for something.

    a group of individuals selected or set apart, often used in a religious context for those chosen for salvation.

    Example

    The preacher spoke about the elected who would find peace.

    Example

    The theological debate centered on whether the elected were chosen through their own deeds or through divine grace alone.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, this sense is rare outside of religious or very formal literary contexts.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference