/ vəʊt; NAmE voʊt/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] vote (for / against sb/sth) a formal choice that you make in an election or at a meeting in order to choose sb or decide sth :
There were 21 votes for and 17 against the motion, with 2 abstentions.
The motion was passed by 6 votes to 3.
The chairperson has the casting / deciding vote .
The Green candidate won over 3 000 of the 14 000 votes cast .
2.
[ C ] vote (on sth) an occasion when a group of people vote on sth :
to have / take a vote on an issue
The issue was put to the vote .
The vote was unanimous.
➡ note at election
3.
the vote [ sing. ] the total number of votes in an election :
She obtained 40% of the vote.
The party increased their share of the vote.
4.
the vote [ sing. ] the vote given by a particular group of people, or for a particular party, etc. :
the student vote
the Labour vote
5.
the vote [ sing. ] the right to vote, especially in political elections :
In Britain and the US, people get the vote at 18.
—see also block vote
■ verb
1.
vote (for / against sb/sth) | vote (on sth) to show formally by marking a paper or raising your hand which person you want to win an election, or which plan or idea you support :
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]
Did you vote for or against her?
How did you vote at the last election?
We'll listen to the arguments on both sides and then vote on it.
Over 60% of members voted in favour of (= for) the motion.
Only about half of the electorate bothered to vote.
[ vn ]
We voted Democrat in the last election.
[ v to inf ]
Parliament voted to set up an independent inquiry into the matter.
2.
[ vn - n ] [ usually passive ] to choose sb/sth for a position or an award by voting :
He was voted most promising new director.
3.
[ vn - n ] [ usually passive ] to say that sth is good or bad :
The event was voted a great success.
4.
[ vnn ] to agree to give sb/yourself sth by voting :
The directors have just voted themselves a huge pay increase.
5.
[ v ( that )] to suggest sth or support a suggestion that sb has made :
I vote (that) we go out to eat.
•
IDIOMS
- vote with your feet
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- vote sb/sth down
- vote sb in | vote sb into / onto sth
- vote sb out | vote sb out of / off sth
- vote sth through
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin votum a vow, wish, from vovere to vow. The verb dates from the mid 16th cent.