elective

5 definitions • 8 examples

(of a medical treatment) done at a time chosen by the patient, rather than needed urgently:

elective surgery Medication should be stopped two days before elective surgery.

This procedure was elective and non-urgent.

She had her first child by an elective Caesarean section.

An elective position or system is one that involves people voting:

elective office I am considering seeking elective office as a way to bring about change.

At the beginning of the twelfth century, elective monarchy gradually gave way to hereditary monarchy in Europe.

a subject that someone chooses to study, in addition to the subjects that they have to study:

During the MBA you will choose ten to twelve electives from a large and varied portfolio.

chosen or decided by voting:

an elective office

Elective also means chosen but not necessary:

elective surgery