The word elective has multiple meanings, but in general it refers to something that is chosen or selected by someone's own free will. Here are some possible definitions and contexts for this term: 1) Elective can refer to a course or class taken as part of an academic program, which the student chooses because they have an interest in the subject matter. 2) In medicine, elective refers to a surgical procedure that is done on a voluntary basis rather than being necessary for medical reasons. 3) Elective can also be used in reference to political elections or voting, where citizens choose their representatives through a democratic process.