noun

ballot

/ˈbælət/ · say it: BAL·ut

the paper or system by which a vote is cast

In Politics & Diplomacy

In more detail

1. (noun) a piece of paper used to vote; a system or process of voting

2. (noun) the total number of votes cast in an election

Examples

1. Each voter received a ballot with the names of all the candidates.
2. The ballot showed that 65% of people voted in favor of the proposal.

How to use ballot

Ballot refers to both the physical voting slip and the voting process itself, commonly used in formal electoral contexts. It emphasizes the method or mechanism of voting rather than the act of choosing, and often appears in political or civic discussions.

Common phrases

cast a ballot
secret ballot
ballot box
ballot paper
ballot initiative
ballot measure

Synonyms

vote · poll · election · referendum · plebiscite

Word family

balloting (noun/verb) · balloted (verb, past tense)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'ballot' with 'vote'—a ballot is the method or physical object, while a vote is the individual choice cast.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD