Electorate Meaning and Definition
Electorate
Pronunciation
/ɪˈlɛktəreɪt/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A geographic area or district that is entitled to select or elect representatives, such as a parliamentary representative in a government or a constituency in a democracy.
Etymology
The word ‘Electorate’ originates from the Latin ‘electus’, meaning ‘chosen’, and the suffix ‘-ate’, indicating a place or group of people. It has been in use since the 16th century to describe the area or group of people who exercise their right to elect representatives.
Usage Notes
The term ‘Electorate’ is typically used in the context of political systems, such as parliamentary democracies, where it refers to a specific geographic area or district that elects representatives to govern. It is often used in combination with other terms, such as ‘constituency’ or ‘district’, to specify the geographic boundaries of the electorate.
Cultural References
Electorate has appeared in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. For example, in the novel ‘The Crying of Lot 49’ by Thomas Pynchon, the electorate is mentioned as a key concept in the plot.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
‘Electorate at large’ is an idiomatic expression that refers to the entire area or district that elects representatives to govern, as opposed to a specific constituency or district.
Related Words or Phrases
- Constituency
- District
- Voting area
Collocations
- Electorate votes in the upcoming election
- The electorate is divided on the issue
- The government is accountable to the electorate
Frequency of Use
The term ‘Electorate’ is commonly used in political and academic contexts, but it is not as widely used in everyday language as other related terms, such as ‘voting’ or ‘election’. However, it is gaining increased recognition and usage in modern political discourse.
Common Misspellings
- Electorite
- Electoriat
- Electrate