a selection made by taking papers at random out of a box an election where people vote for someone by marking a cross on a paper with a list of names nounan election where people vote for someone by marking a cross on a paper with a list of names ExampleSix names were put forward for three vacancies on the committee so a ballot was held.a selection made by taking papers at random out of a box ExampleThe share issue was oversubscribed, so there was a ballot for the shares.verbto take a vote by ballot ExampleThe union is balloting for the post of president. to take a vote by ballot