I. ˈbalət, usu əd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian ballotta, from Italian dialect, diminutive of balla ball — more at balloon
1.
a. : a small ball dropped into a box or urn in secret voting
b. : a ticket or sheet of paper (as one printed with the candidates' names or the proposition to be voted on) used to cast a secret vote (as during public elections) — see australian ballot
2.
a. : the action or system of secret voting by the use of ballots or by any device for casting or recording votes (as a voting machine)
b. : the right to vote in such a way
c. : vote I 1a
3. : the whole number of votes cast at an election
4. : the drawing of lots
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Italian ballottare, from ballotta
intransitive verb
: to vote or decide by ballot
ballot for a candidate
ballot against a referendum
the balloting continued until eight in the evening
transitive verb
1. : to obtain a vote from (a body of voters)
ballot the men on the proposal
2. : to select by ballot or by the drawing of lots
ballot all able-bodied men for service in the army