What does electioneering mean?
Electioneering is the noun describing the active business of campaigning during an election: canvassing for votes, delivering speeches, distributing literature, and otherwise working to secure support for a candidate, party, or position. The word derives from the verb electioneer, formed from election with the agentive suffix -eer, which often carries a hint of engagement in an activity as a trade or pursuit. In its neutral sense, electioneering simply names a normal and essential part of democratic politics, appearing frequently in news reporting on campaigns. It can also take on a disapproving shade, implying overzealous, manipulative, or even improper efforts to sway voters — a sense rooted in the word's history, when treating and bribing electors were common enough to require legislation. The term is standard in both British and American English, and remains a staple of political journalism wherever elections are contested.
nounThe activity of campaigning for a candidate or party in an election, especially by canvassing voters, giving speeches, and distributing propaganda. It can also carry a negative sense of underhanded or illegal activity connected with influencing an election.
- The activity of actively campaigning for a candidate, party, or cause in an election.
- (Disapproving) Underhand, improper, or illegal activity aimed at influencing the outcome of an election.
"Months of tireless electioneering finally paid off when the results were announced."
"The candidates criss-crossed the state in a final burst of electioneering before polling day."
"Voters grew weary of the negative electioneering that dominated the campaign."
Extremely rare; electioneering is almost always used as an uncountable mass noun referring to the general activity of campaigning.
"The memoir recounts the various electioneerings he witnessed across three decades in politics."
In the 18th century, 'electioneering' could mean outright bribery and treating voters to feasts — so much so that Parliament passed laws specifically to curb it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of electioneering
Electioneering is derived from the verb electioneer, which was formed in the late 18th century by adding the suffix -eer to election. The suffix -eer, borrowed via French from Latin -arius, typically denotes a person engaged in or devoted to an activity (as in engineer or auctioneer), and sometimes carries a slightly pejorative connotation of overzealousness. The root ultimately traces back to the Latin eligere, meaning 'to choose' or 'to pick out', from e- ('out') and legere ('to gather, choose'), which also gives us words like elect, electoral, and select.
Related word forms
How electioneering is actually used
Generally neutral in political and journalistic contexts, but can carry a disapproving tone when implying manipulative or excessive campaigning. Common in both British and American English; in American usage it often appears in phrases like 'stumping' and 'on the campaign trail'.
Easily confused with electioneering
An election is the formal process of voting itself, while electioneering refers to the campaigning and persuasion that surrounds it.