ballots
|bal-lot|
/ˈbælət/
(ballot)
voting process
Etymology
'ballot' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ballotta', where 'balla' meant 'ball'.
'ballot' changed from Italian 'ballotta' and Middle French 'ballotte' and eventually became the modern English word 'ballot'.
Initially it meant 'little ball' (a small ball used in secret voting); over time it came to mean the token or paper used to record a vote and, by extension, the vote itself.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'ballot': a paper, card, or electronic form used by voters to record their choices in an election or decision.
The election officials counted the ballots late into the night.
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Noun 2
the individual votes cast (each ballot representing a vote or choice).
Many ballots were spoiled and had to be discounted.
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Last updated: 2026/01/07 08:30