ENGLISH
REFERENCE

electorate

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ɪˈɫɛktɝət// UK //ɪlˈɛktəɹˌeɪt// elec·torate Archaic

n. all the people in a country or area who are allowed to vote in an election.

n. the entire body of people qualified to vote in a given election or jurisdiction.


SIMPLE

The candidate is trying to win over the local electorate.

CONTEXTUAL

A large portion of the electorate remains undecided just two weeks before the national polls open.

COMPLEX

Political analysts observed that the electorate has become increasingly polarized, with voting patterns shifting along urban and rural divides rather than traditional party lines.

Origin

From elector (“person eligible to vote in an election; German prince entitled to elect the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire”) + -ate (forms nouns denoting a rank or office, the concrete charge of it).

Usage

Usually takes a singular verb in American English, but can take a plural verb in British English when referring to the individuals within the group.

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