D'Hondt method
/dəˈhɒnt ˈmɛ.θəd/
D'Hondt method proper noun: a highest-averages method for allocating seats, used to achieve proportional representation in elections, and often favoring large parties and coalitions.
Proper noun (1)
the D'Hondt method
- A highest-averages method for allocating seats, used to achieve proportional representation in elections, and often favoring large parties and coalitions.
- The d'Hondt method is one of the most commonly used methods in Europe. It has been sharply criticized for being the “less proportional method.”1999, Pietro Grilli di Cortona et al., Evaluation and Optimization of Electoral Systems, SIAM, →ISBN, page 103
- The only exception to the rule was in the Kalmyk Republic where the D'Hondt method was used.2014, Cameron Ross, editor, Russian Regional Politics under Putin and Medvedev, Routledge, →ISBN, page 64
- Synonyms:
- greatest divisors method, Jefferson method
Proper noun (2) capitalized: d'Hondt method
the d'Hondt method
- Alternative form of D'Hondt method.
Synonyms of D'Hondt method
- greatest divisors method
- Jefferson method
Forms of D'Hondt method
| alternative form | d'Hondt method |
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Origin of D'Hondt method
Named after Belgian mathematician Victor D'Hondt (1841–1901), who described it in 1878 for proportional allocation of parliamentary seats to the parties.
Questions about D'Hondt method
- What does D'Hondt method mean?
- D'Hondt method means a highest-averages method for allocating seats, used to achieve proportional representation in elections, and often favoring large parties and coalitions.
- What part of speech is D'Hondt method?
- D'Hondt method is a proper noun.
- How do you pronounce D'Hondt method?
- D'Hondt method is pronounced /dəˈhɒnt ˈmɛ.θəd/.
Words near D'Hondt method in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: D'Hondt method (page history and authors); d'Hondt method (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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