plebiscite

American  

[pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit] / ˈplɛb əˌsaɪt, -sɪt /

noun

• plebiscites
  plural

1. a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.

2. the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.

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plebiscite British  

/ ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt, -sɪt /

noun

1. a direct vote by the electorate of a state, region, etc, on some question of usually national importance, such as union with another state or acceptance of a government programme

2. any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter

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plebiscite Cultural  

1. A vote of an entire nation or other large political unit on an issue of great importance. A plebiscite is not an election, for there are no candidates. Rather, people vote yes or no on a proposition.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• plebiscitary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• plebiscites
  plural

Etymology

Origin of plebiscite

1525–35; < French < Latin plēbīscītum decree of the plebs, equivalent to plēbī (for plēbis, plēbēī genitive singular of plēbs, plēbēs plebs ) + scītum resolution, decree, noun use of neuter of scītus, past participle of scīscere to enact, decree, originally, to seek to know, learn, inchoative of scīre to know

Explanation

A plebiscite is a direct vote by eligible voters to decide an important public question, such as a change to the constitution, secession, or a similar issue of national or regional importance. The word plebiscite comes from the Latin word plebiscitum, meaning "a decree of the people," with the roots plebs, "the common people," and scitum, "decree." A plebiscite can also be called a referendum. Periodically, for example, Quebec separatists hold a plebiscite to determine whether Quebec should secede from Canada. So far, the secessionists have not prevailed at the polls.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plebiscite plebiscites

But a successful legal challenge earlier this month by First Nations groups in the province halted the process of verifying petition signatures and placed the plebiscite in limbo.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

Still, investors remain nervous about the fallout from Thursday’s plebiscite.

From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026

In the daily plebiscite on America, this Ivy League historian votes “Yes, but.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

History is not a plebiscite in which 50% of the current population decides what’s true and important.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024

Autonomy for the Italian population of Trent and Trieste, pending a plebiscite.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VII (of VIII) American Food and Ships; Palestine; Italy invaded; Great German Offensive; Americans in Picardy; Americans on the Marne; Foch's Counteroffensive. by Various

Formerly German territories awarded to Poland and Denmark had Danish- and Polish-speaking majorities who voted decisively in League of Nations plebiscites that they did not wish to remain with Germany.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2023

None of the plebiscites has been binding, however, and turnout has often been low, amid boycotts by critics who support the status quo or independence.

From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2022

After plebiscites in 1983, one island chain became the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, thereby remaining part of the United States, adjacent to Guam, long a U.S. territory.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 12, 2022

The proposals also include mechanisms for citizen participation such as referendums and plebiscites, as well as the creation of a constitutional court and a new national electoral institute.

From Reuters ● Sep. 16, 2021

“Write that down, Adah. If we don’t boil our water for thirty full minutes we’ll get plebiscites and what not.”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• election
• poll
• polling
• referendum
• slate
• tally
• ticket