Borda count

noun

A voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference and points are awarded to candidates based these rankings, and in which the winning candidate is the one with the most points.

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Meanings

nounBorda count (plural Borda counts)

plural Borda counts

  1. A voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference and points are awarded to candidates based these rankings, and in which the winning candidate is the one with the most points.

Origin

Named after French mathematician Jean-Charles de Borda (1733–1799), who devised the system in 1781, although it is claimed he was preceded by German cardinal Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464).

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Cite this entry
APA

Borda count. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Borda%20count

MLA

“Borda count.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Borda%20count. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Borda count,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Borda%20count.

Source: Borda count on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.