noun · verb · 20 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/vəʊt/
General-American:/voʊt/
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian:/vəʉt/
India:/(ʋ)oːʈ/
homophone: oat (dialectal, mainly South India)
rhymes with -əʊt
CMU ARPABET:V OW1 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A formalized choice on legally relevant measures such as employment or appointment to office or a proceeding about a legal dispute.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The city council decided the matter should go to public vote.
Parliament will hold a vote of confidence regarding the minister.
One occasion indicative votes were used was in 2003 when MPs were presented with seven different options on how to reform the House of Lords.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An act or instance of participating in such a choice, e.g., by submitting a ballot.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The Supreme Court upheld the principle of one person, one vote.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A formalized petition or request.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Any judgment of intellect leading to a formal opinion, a point of view.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Any judgment of intellect leading not only to a formal opinion but also to a particular choice in a legally relevant measure, a point of view as published.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
dissenting vote (i.e. in particular the differing opinion published with a judicial judgment considered as a source of information)
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A person from Votia or of Votic descent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Votian
Antonyms: none provided
8
verb
Meaning 8
To cast a vote; to assert a formalized choice in an election.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
Q: Did you vote last month? A: Yes. I voted for John Smith, and it's a shame that he lost; you can't blame me for the mess we're in now.
The directors voted on the question of whether to increase the R&D spending.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To choose or grant (some objective) by means of a vote, or by general consent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
The directors voted an increase in R&D spending.
The meal was voted a great success.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To exercise one's voting right upon (a ballot or a share of stock).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
vote your ballot
vote your shares
Please vote your ballot using black or blue ink, then seal your ballot inside the privacy envelope.
The depository may vote shares on behalf of investors who have not submitted instruction to the bank.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
the opinion of a group as determined by voting
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
they put the question to a vote
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: group action
Narrower terms: plebiscite, referendum, election
12
noun
Meaning 12
a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative
They voted aid for the underdeveloped countries in Asia
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: vote
18
verb
Meaning 18
express a choice or opinion
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I vote that we all go home
She voted for going to the Chinese restaurant
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: express, state
Narrower terms: vote
19
verb
Meaning 19
express one's choice or preference by vote
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
vote the Democratic ticket
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: express, state
Narrower terms: bullet vote
20
verb
Meaning 20
be guided by in voting
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
vote one's conscience
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Latin vōtum, a form of voveō (“to vow”) (cognate with Ancient Greek εὔχομαι (eúkhomai, “to vow”)), from Proto-Indo-European *h1wegwh- (“to promise, to vow”). Doublet of vow.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *weǵh-der. Proto-Germanic *wagjazbor.? Proto-Baltic [Term?]bor.? Proto-Finnic *vakja Votic vadʹdʹõ? Votic vadʹdʹader. German Wotebor. English Vote From German Wote, ultimately from Votic vadʹdʹa, vadʹdʹalain (“Votian”). Compare Estonian vadjalane.
Across languages
Translations
317 source translations are retained for this English entry.
