Glossary

A simple dictionary of words you’ll see when learning about government, voting, and how our country works.
Every definition is written in everyday language so kids, teens, and adults can all understand.

A

Amendment

A change or addition made to a law or the Constitution.

Ballot

The paper or digital form you use to vote.

Bill

An idea for a new law that leaders talk about and vote on.

Branch of Government

One of the three main parts of the U.S. government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Bipartisan

When people from different political parties work together.

Budget

A plan for how money will be earned and spent.

C

Campaign

The way a person running for office tries to get people to vote for them.

Candidate

A person who wants to be elected to a job in government.

Checks and Balances

A system that makes sure no one branch of government gets too much power.

Citizen

A person who legally belongs to a country.

Congress

The group of elected leaders who make laws for the whole country. It includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Constitution

The main rulebook for how the U.S. government works.

Constituent

A person who lives in the area an elected official represents.

D

Debate

A planned conversation where people share different ideas and explain why they believe them.

Democracy

A system where people help make decisions by voting.

District

A specific area of a state that elects a representative.

E

Election

A process where people vote to choose leaders or decide on issues.

Executive Branch

The part of government that carries out and enforces laws.

Electoral College

A group of people chosen to officially vote for the president.

F

Federal

Something that has to do with the national government.

Filibuster

A long speech in the Senate used to delay or block a vote.

Freedom of Speech

The right to share your thoughts and ideas.

G

Government

The group of people who make rules and decisions for a community, state, or country.

Governor

The elected leader of a state.

Grassroots

When regular people, not leaders, start a movement or project.

H

House of Representatives

One part of Congress where the number of members depends on a state’s population.

Hearing

A meeting where leaders listen to experts or citizens before making a decision.

I

Incumbent

A person who already has the job and is running to keep it.

Issue

A topic or problem people care about and discuss.

J

Judicial Branch

The part of government that interprets laws and includes the courts.

Judge

A person who decides what the law means in a court case.

L

Law

A rule that everyone must follow.

Legislation

Another word for a law or a group of laws.

Legislative Branch

The part of government that makes laws.

M

Midterm Elections

Elections that happen halfway through a president’s term.

Majority

More than half.

Minority

Less than half.

O

Oath of Office

A promise a leader makes to do their job honestly and follow the Constitution.

P

Partisan

Strongly supporting one political party.

Petition

A written request that people sign to show support for an idea.

Policy

A plan or rule used to solve a problem.

Poll

A survey that asks people what they think.

Primary Election

An election where each political party chooses its candidate.

R

Ratify

To officially approve something.

Representative

A person elected to speak and vote for others.

Rights

Freedoms and protections that belong to everyone.

S

Senate

One part of Congress where each state has two senators.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States.

Swing State

A state where either major political party could win.

T

Term

The length of time someone serves in an elected job.

Treaty

An agreement between countries.

V

Veto

When the president rejects a bill.

Voter Registration

Signing up so you can vote in elections.

W

Warrant

A legal document that allows police to do something, like search a place.

Whistleblower

Someone who reports wrongdoing inside an organization.

Z

Zoning

Rules about how land can be used (homes, businesses, parks, etc.).