- 1 [intransitive, transitive] 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 vote (for/against somebody/something) Did you vote for or against her? How did you vote at the last election? vote in favour of something Over 60% of members voted in favour of (= for) the motion. vote (on something) We'll listen to the arguments on both sides and then vote on it. Only about half of the electorate bothered to vote. vote something We voted Democrat in the last election. vote to do something Parliament voted to set up an independent inquiry into the matter. CollocationsVoting in electionsRunning for election conduct/hold an election/a referendum (especially North American English) run for office/election/governor/mayor/president/the White House (especially British English) stand for election/office/Parliament/the Labour Party/a second term hold/call/contest a general/national election launch/run a presidential election campaign support/back a candidate sway/convince/persuade voters/the electorate appeal to/attract/woo/target (North American English) swing voters/(British English) floating voters fix/rig/steal an election/the voteVoting go to/be turned away from (especially British English) a polling station/(North American English) a polling place cast a/your vote/ballot (for somebody) vote for the Conservative candidate/the Democratic party mark/spoil your ballot paper count (British English) the postal votes/(especially North American English) the absentee ballots go to/be defeated at the ballot box get/win/receive/lose votes get/win (60% of) the popular/black/Hispanic/Latino/Muslim vote win the election/(in the US) the primaries/a seat in Parliament/a majority/power lose an election/the vote/your majority/your seat win/come to power in a landslide (victory) (= with many more votes than any other party) elect/re-elect somebody (as) mayor/president/an MP/senator/congressman/congresswomanTaking power be sworn into office/in as president take/administer (in the US) the oath of office swear/take (in the UK) an/the oath of allegiance give/deliver (in the US) the president’s inaugural address take/enter/hold/leave office appoint somebody (as) ambassador/governor/judge/minister form a government/a cabinet serve two terms as prime minister/in office economy, politics CollocationsPoliticsPower create/form/be the leader of a political party gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle lead/form a rival/breakaway faction seize/take control of the government/power bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government be forced/removed/driven from office/power resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister enter/retire from/return to political lifePolitical debate spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something) get involved in/feel excluded from the political process launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something) come under fire/pressure from opposition partiesPolicy call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s) formulate/implement domestic economic policy change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy reform/restructure/modernize the tax system privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure nationalize the banks/the oil industry promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congressMaking laws have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution get/require/be decided by a majority vote economy, vote Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverboverwhelmingly, unanimously, narrowly, … verb + votebe eligible to, be entitled to, intend to, … prepositionagainst, for, in, … phrasesthe right to vote, a round of voting, vote Conservative, Labour, Republican, etc., … See full entry
- 2 [transitive, usually passive] vote somebody/something + noun to choose somebody/something for a position or an award by voting He was voted most promising new director. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverboverwhelmingly, unanimously, narrowly, … verb + votebe eligible to, be entitled to, intend to, … prepositionagainst, for, in, … phrasesthe right to vote, a round of voting, vote Conservative, Labour, Republican, etc., … See full entry
- 3[transitive, usually passive] vote something + noun to say that something is good or bad The event was voted a great success.
- 4[transitive] vote somebody/yourself something to agree to give somebody/yourself something by voting The directors have just voted themselves a huge pay increase.
- 5[transitive] vote (that)… to suggest something or support a suggestion that somebody has made I vote (that) we go out to eat. Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin votum ‘a vow, wish’, from vovere ‘to vow’. The verb dates from the mid 16th cent.Extra examples Everyone over 18 has the right to vote. Her party voted with the government. Parliament is to vote on tobacco advertising tomorrow. She returned home in order to vote in the elections. She was elected on the second round of voting. She was voted off the committee. Stockholders have the right to vote on the proposal. The Senate voted narrowly to continue funding the plan. The committee voted in favour of the plan. The committee voted unanimously to accept the plans. The proposal was voted down. The proposals were formally voted upon. They all voted for the new tax. They voted 15 to 2 to accept the offer. They voted overwhelmingly against the proposal. They voted yes to the agreement. the government that has just been voted into power young people who are eligible to vote for the first time Over 60% of members voted in favour of the motion. Parliament voted to set up an independent enquiry into the matter. We’ll listen to the arguments on both sides and then vote on it.Idioms
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BrE BrE//vəʊt//; NAmE NAmE//voʊt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they vote BrE BrE//vəʊt//; NAmE NAmE//voʊt//
he / she / it votes BrE BrE//vəʊts//; NAmE NAmE//voʊts//
past simple voted BrE BrE//ˈvəʊtɪd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈvoʊtɪd//
past participle voted BrE BrE//ˈvəʊtɪd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈvoʊtɪd//
-ing form voting BrE BrE//ˈvəʊtɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈvoʊtɪŋ//
to show what you think about something by going or not going somewhere Shoppers voted with their feet and avoided the store. Phrasal Verbsvote downvote invote outvote through
Check pronunciation: vote
