Suffrage
noun /ˈsʌf.rɪdʒ/ — The right to vote in political elections.
Definition
The right to vote in political elections. The extension of suffrage — to the poor, to the enslaved, to women — is one of the major narratives of democratic history. Universal suffrage is still not universal.
Beyond the definition
Suffrage was not given. It was demanded, fought for, died for, imprisoned for. The ballot is not just a slip of paper — it is the formal acknowledgement that your view counts. Which is why so many have worked to prevent it.
Origin & history
Latin: 'suffragium' (right to vote, voting tablet). From 'suffragari' (to vote for). The prayer sense — 'suffrages' as intercessions — and the political sense both carry the idea of speaking on behalf of something.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Women's suffrage was achieved in the UK in two stages: 1918 and 1928.
Universal suffrage is democracy's most radical promise — and its most contested practice.
She had grown up taking suffrage for granted, which she later understood was itself a form of privilege.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Suffrage” when the meaning fits your context: The right to vote in political elections. The extension of suffrage — to the poor, to the enslaved, to women — is one of the major narratives of democratic history. Universal suffrage is still not universal.
Synonyms
vote, franchise, enfranchisement, electoral rights
Antonyms
disenfranchisement, exclusion
Related words
Suffrage vs franchise
Suffrage is the specific right to participate in elections. Franchise is the broader legal entitlement or privilege, which includes suffrage but can also refer to commercial or other rights.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Weight of the Legal Process
An adult stands holding a single document in a vast, silent, wood-paneled courtroom, emphasizing the gravity and formal nature of the setting.
The image captures the gravity of the legal threshold, serving as an analogy for suffrage. The document represents the power of the vote, and the vast courtroom highlights that access to such formal systems of rights and agency is a monumental, hard-won aspect of democratic institutional life.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Suffrage" mean?
Suffrage is noun meaning: The right to vote in political elections.. The right to vote in political elections. The extension of suffrage — to the poor, to the enslaved, to women — is one of the major narratives of democratic history. Universal suffrage is still not universal.
Where does the word "Suffrage" come from?
Latin: 'suffragium' (right to vote, voting tablet). From 'suffragari' (to vote for). The prayer sense — 'suffrages' as intercessions — and the political sense both carry the idea of speaking on behalf of something.