ballot
ballot Lexical Profile
ballot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A slip of paper, card, or electronic form used to register a secret vote in an election.
"Each voter marked their ballot in private before dropping it into the locked box."
The process or system of voting secretly, in writing or electronically, on a particular issue or in an election.
"The union leadership was chosen by a secret ballot of all registered members."
The total number of votes cast in an election.
"The incumbent candidate won 60 percent of the total ballot."
• verb
British To solicit or collect a secret vote from a group of people on a specific issue.
"The trade union plans to ballot its members next week on whether to accept the new contract."
To vote or decide something by means of a secret vote.
"The committee balloted on the admission of new fellows."
• Rhymes for ballot
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Italian ballotta, a diminutive of balla ('ball'), referring to the small colored balls historically dropped into a container to cast secret votes in Venice.