An elective post or committee is one to which people are appointed as a result of winning an election.
[formal]
Buchanan has never held elective office.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Elective surgery is surgery that you choose to have before it becomes essential.
[formal]
3. countable noun
An elective is a subject which a student can choose to study as part of his or her course.
[US]
Electives are offered in Tai Chi and advanced dance exercise.
regional note: in BRIT, use option
elective in British English
(ɪˈlɛktɪv)
adjective
1.
of or based on selection by vote
elective procedure
2.
selected by vote
an elective official
3.
having the power to elect
4.
open to choice; optional
an elective course of study
noun
5.
an optional course or hospital placement undertaken by a medical student
Derived forms
electively (eˈlectively)
adverb
electivity (ˌiːlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ) or electiveness (eˈlectiveness)
noun
elective in American English
(iˈlɛktɪv; ɪˈlɛktɪv)
adjective
1.
a.
filled by election
an elective office
b.
chosen by election; elected
2.
of or based on election
3.
having the power to choose
4.
that may be chosen but is not required; optional
5. Rare
having or referring to a tendency to attract or combine with certain substances in preference to others
noun US
6.
an optional course or subject in a school or college curriculum
Derived forms
electively (eˈlectively)
adverb
Word origin
ME < LL electivus
Examples of 'elective' in a sentence
elective
Instead he has established an elective dictatorship that answers almost exclusively to him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some elective operations have also been cancelled.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Britain is not a permanent elective dictatorship.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Choice and competition for elective procedures such as hip replacements should be a spur to provide the best care.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Health tourists seeking cosmetic or elective surgery abroad will be able to buy insurance that will cover them against mishaps.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Finally, schools should at least offer an elective online course to study church planting.
Christianity Today (2000)
When it comes to elective cosmetic surgery, we are dealing with fit and healthy young adults.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Patients can expect increased rationing of some elective operations, such as hip replacements and cataracts.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Students can study the core options in ten months or less, with the elective subjects spread over six months.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Since my election we have regained a wide range of elective surgery and have seen improvements to urgent care and continue to fight for more.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The second phase allows students to tailor the course, with elective modules in areas such as accounting and general management.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The increase in elective plastic surgery suggests that we are becoming more, not less obsessed with age as a society.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
People dislike the elective dictatorship.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The rationing of some elective procedures is what the budget demands - who would prioritise a tattoo removal over a cancer treatment?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But as has already happened to me twice, my elective surgery was cancelled when the slot was needed for a trauma case.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The second year is largely made up of elective courses; students can opt for specialist tracks such as general management, biotechnology and financial engineering.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They expanded significantly after 2007 and by last year there were 161 such centres treating hundreds of thousands of patients a year for common elective procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And if they do it, and are found guilty, their election will be void and they are disqualified from holding elective office for three years.