/ ˈbælət; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] the system of voting in writing and usually in secret; an occasion on which a vote is held :
The chairperson is chosen by secret ballot .
The union cannot call a strike unless it holds a ballot of members.
➡ note at election
2.
( BrE also ˈballot paper ) [ C ] the piece of paper on which sb marks who they are voting for :
What percentage of eligible voters cast their ballots ?
3.
the ballot [ sing. ] the total number of votes in an election :
She won 58.8% of the ballot.
—see also poll
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] ballot sb (on sth) to ask sb to vote in writing and secretly about sth
SYN poll :
The union balloted its members on the proposed changes.
2.
[ v ] to vote secretly about sth :
The workers balloted for a strike.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (originally denoting a small coloured ball placed in a container to register a vote): from Italian ballotta , diminutive of balla .