# electorate

/ɪˈɫɛktɝət/ (US) · /ɪlˈɛktəɹˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/electorate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the body of voters

noun · CEFR B2

all the people in a country or region who are allowed to vote.

For teachers: the entire body of people qualified to vote in a given election or jurisdiction.

- The candidate is trying to win over the younger part of the electorate.
- Political analysts observed a significant shift in the electorate's priorities following the sudden economic downturn in the third quarter.

Usage: Usually takes a singular verb, though it refers to a group of people.

### 2. a voting district

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect

a specific area that is represented by an elected official.

For teachers: a geographical area or constituency represented by an elected member of parliament.

- He has lived in this electorate for over twenty years and knows the local issues well.
- The boundaries of the electorate were redrawn to account for the rapid population growth in the western suburbs.

Usage: Primarily used in Australia and New Zealand to mean 'constituency'.

Teaching tip: In American English, 'district' is used; in British English, 'constituency' is standard. This sense is specific to Australian and New Zealand English.

### 3. historical German territory

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

the land or the position of a prince in the old Holy Roman Empire who helped choose the Emperor.

For teachers: the territory or dignity of an Elector in the Holy Roman Empire.

- The Electorate of Hanover was an important territory in the eighteenth century.
- The Golden Bull of 1356 formally defined the seven electorates whose rulers held the right to choose the King of the Romans.

Usage: Used almost exclusively in historical contexts regarding European history.

## Examples

- The candidate is trying to win over the local electorate.
- A large portion of the electorate remains undecided just two weeks before the national polls open.
- Political analysts observed that the electorate has become increasingly polarized, with voting patterns shifting along urban and rural divides rather than traditional party lines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.