# suffrage

/ˈsəfɹɪdʒ/ (US) · /sˈʌfɹɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suffrage
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the right to vote

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the legal right to vote in an election for a government.

For teachers: the right or privilege of voting in public, political elections. Uncountable in this general sense.

- The movement fought for years to achieve universal suffrage for all citizens.
- The extension of suffrage to women was a landmark achievement that fundamentally altered the democratic landscape of the twentieth century.

### 2. a specific vote

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a single vote given in favor of a particular person or choice.

For teachers: a vote cast in deciding a specific question or electing a candidate. Countable in this specific application.

- Each member was asked to give their suffrage on the new law.
- The candidate sought the suffrages of the local landowners to secure his position in the assembly.

### 3. a short prayer

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a short prayer or request used in some Christian church services.

For teachers: a short petition or series of petitions used in liturgical worship, such as those following the creed in matins.

- The priest led the congregation in a series of suffrages for the sick.
- The liturgy concludes with a set of suffrages, where the choir responds to each short petition offered by the minister.

## Examples

- The country finally granted universal suffrage to all citizens last year.
- The movement for women's suffrage faced decades of intense political opposition before the law finally changed.
- The transition to a modern democracy was marked by the hard-won achievement of equal suffrage, ensuring that every adult had a voice in the legislative process.

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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.