Definition of Gerrymandering

Function:   transitive verb
Date:   1812 - named after Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts, who created district boundaries resembling a salamander to benefit his allies. The Boston Centinel coined the word in his honor.

1. : to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
2. : to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group