elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv 
1
a
: chosen or filled by popular election
an elective official
b
: of or relating to election
c
: based on the right or principle of election
the presidency is an elective office
2
a
: permitting a choice : optional
an elective course in school
b(1)
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective hip surgery
elective tonsillectomy
elective cosmetic procedures
(2)
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
an elective surgical unit
(3)
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
elective orthopedic patients
3
a
: tending to operate on one substance rather than another
elective absorption
b
: favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic
an elective affinity
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
: an elective course or subject
Synonyms
Examples of elective in a Sentence
Adjective
He's never held an elective office.
Plastic surgery is elective surgery.
She took three elective courses last term.
Noun
She's taking several electives this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam Sabin, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024
Mass General Brigham in Boston cancelled all elective surgeries on Friday and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Avondale, Ohio, also reported some disruptions.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 19 July 2024
Mark N. Simon, STAT, 19 July 2024
The course would have been an elective for students — not a requirement, noted the Rev. Dr. Marlon Tilghman.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective 
Adjective
Zoom in: At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, at least two complex elective surgeries were rescheduled Wednesday, and the hospital is actively seeking additional blood supply sources, according to WCTV.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024
Mass General Brigham in Boston cancelled all elective surgeries on Friday and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Avondale, Ohio, also reported some disruptions.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 19 July 2024
Noun
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There needs to be a clear distinction between elective and emergency procedures.
—Mark N. Simon, STAT, 19 July 2024
The course would have been an elective for students — not a requirement, noted the Rev. Dr. Marlon Tilghman.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for elective
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near elective
Cite this Entry
“Elective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elective. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elective
1 of 2 adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: chosen by election
an elective official
2
: held by a person who is elected
the presidency is an elective office
3
: followed or taken by choice : not required
an elective subject in school
electively
adverb
electiveness
noun
elective
2 of 2 noun
: an elective course or subject in school
Medical Definition
elective
adjective
elec·tive
i-ˈlek-tiv
1
: relating to, being, or involving a nonemergency medical procedure and especially surgery that is planned in advance and is not essential to the survival of the patient
elective knee surgery
elective tonsillectomy
2
: offering or specializing in nonemergency medical procedures and especially surgery
elective surgical units
3
: relating to or being a patient receiving a nonemergency medical procedure
an elective orthopedic patient
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