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vote
This word carries a heavy sense of civic duty and institutional power. It is the primary mechanism for transferring individual will into collective authority, whether in a democratic government or a small board meeting. It implies a binary or multiple-choice decision process where a result is determined by a tally.
While it is often associated with politics, it also appears in casual social settings to describe a consensus-based decision. Using it in a non-formal way often adds a playful sense of mock-seriousness to a simple group choice, such as deciding which movie to watch.
Countable when referring to a single ballot or a specific person's choice. Uncountable when referring to the general act or process of voting.
Meanings
Examples
I will vote today.
Please vote now.
They vote every year.
We voted for a new leader.
She forgot to vote yesterday.
The class voted on the trip.
The students voted for the class president.
The council voted to increase the budget.
The villagers voted for the new chief.
The board cast a decisive vote on the merger.
Ancient Athenians were the first to vote this way.
The senate cast a tie vote on the bill.
Phrasal Verbs
vote in
to elect someone to a position of power or office
The board members voted in the new CEO during the annual meeting.
vote out
to remove someone from a position of power by voting
The residents voted out the mayor after the scandal became public.
vote down
to reject a proposal or motion by voting against it
The city council voted down the plan to build a new stadium.
vote for
to cast a ballot in favor of a specific person or option
Most of the students voted for the more experienced candidate.
vote against
to cast a ballot in opposition to a specific person or option
Several delegates voted against the treaty due to concerns over sovereignty.