general election
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnərəl ɪˈlɛkʃən/
- And now as a result of all this, we're proceeding to the general election on Tuesday.
- next general election
- hold a general election
- last general election
We're making the turn into the general election right now.
- We're making the turn into the general election right now.
- I've just brought an edition with two new chapters, which covers the whole issue of the general election.
- Anyway, I then started working for an MP in comms and eight days into that new job, the general election was called.
- Again, going back to Brexit and since then with the general election result, people are finally saying enough is enough.
- What we can do, You know, did you see the map of voters in the UK that was shared just after the general election?
- But the point is, is that no, I don't think that what's happening now will ensure a victory in a general election.
- So this shows the general election kind of compilation of polling.
- So those are my thoughts on some things General election.
- And I thought by the time the general election came along that that that would become evident.
- I've seen the most vitriol Facebook debates I've ever seen, more than the general election, more than Brexit, more than, you know, like the final of Love Island.
Examples
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During the general election, all registered voters will have the opportunity to select their preferred candidates.
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In the general election of 1918, Sinn Fein, the political party that rejects Home Rule in favour of separatist republicanism, wins a landslide victory, gaining almost three quarters of the seats.
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In order to run in the general election, you must do extremely well.
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Do you already have your eyes on the general election?
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If you want to get nominated by the party for the next general election, do whatever your leaders ask you to do.
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An average of 14 candidates ran in each constituency in the 1996 general election.
Academic text (1997) -
Bannu will campaign on his behalf in the next general elections.
Fiction book (1992) -
In last November's general election, New Alliance picked up five seats in the parliament.
Academic text (2008) -
Yvette Cooper, Prime Minister, yesterday said she was calling a general election because Parliament was blocking Brexit.
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Politically, what changed in 1964 was the resounding victory by Democrats in the general elections in November.
Academic text (1997)
Synonyms
A formal process where people vote to choose someone for public office
How Inclusive
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: general (broad, overall, affecting many) + election (a voting process) yields an election that is nationwide or for most seats. This composition is transparent and mirrors equivalent phrases in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
General election uses general to mean 'for everyone' and election to mean 'choosing leaders'. So it means a vote held across the whole country at the same time to choose many or all members, which is why we use it for a country-wide vote.