vote

 
Pronunciation: /vəʊt/

noun

  • a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands.
  • an act of expressing such an indication of choice: they are ready to put it to a vote
  • (the vote) the choice expressed collectively by a body of electors or by a specified group: the nationalist vote in Northern Ireland
  • (the vote) the right to register a choice in an election.

verb

[no object]
  • give or register a vote: they voted against the resolution [with complement]: I voted Labour
  • [with object and adverbial or complement] cause (someone) to gain or lose a particular post or honour by means of a vote: incompetent judges are voted out of office
  • [with clause] informal used to express a wish to follow a particular course of action: I vote we have one more game
  • [with object] (of a legislature) grant or confer by vote: Parliament has voted the money for the proposed expenditure
  • [with object] (vote something down) reject (something) by means of a vote: the referendum call was voted down

Phrases

vote of confidence

a vote showing that a majority continues to support the policy of a leader or governing body.

vote of no confidence (or vote of censure)

a vote showing that a majority does not support the policy of a leader or governing body: he was removed from office following an overwhelming vote of no confidence

vote with one's feet

informal indicate an opinion by being present or absent: the East Germans voted with their feet in an irresistible move towards freedom

Derivatives

voteless

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin votum 'a vow, wish', from vovere 'to vow'. The verb dates from the mid 16th century