ballot
pronunciation
How to pronounce ballot in British English:
UK [ˈbælət]
How to pronounce ballot in American English:
US [ˈbælət]
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- Noun:
- a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
- a choice that is made by voting
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- Verb:
- vote by ballot
Word Origin
- ballot
- ballot: see ball
- ballot (n.)
- 1540s, "small ball used in voting," also "secret vote taken by ballots," from Italian pallotte, diminutive of palla "ball," for small balls used as counters in secret voting (see balloon). Earliest references are to Venice. By 1776 extended to tickets or sheets of paper used in secret voting. Ballot box attested from 1670s; metonymically from 1834 as "system or practice of voting by ballot."
- ballot (v.)
- 1540s, from ballot (n.). Related: Balloted; balloting.
Example
- 1. The republican ballot features the most sizzling fights .
- 2. If necessary , they can run out of ballot papers .
- 3. Its machines register no more than five votes per minute , to hinder ballot stuffers .
- 4. His name was registered on the ballot in only 27 states .
- 5. Voters decide many big issues directly through the ballot box .