interpellate

American  

[in-ter-pel-ayt, in-tur-puh-layt] / ˌɪn tərˈpɛl eɪt, ɪnˈtɜr pəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

interpellated, interpellating

1. to call formally upon (a minister or member of a government) to explain an act or policy, sometimes leading, in parliamentary government, to a vote of confidence or a change of government.

2. Sociology. to maintain power over a population by imposing beliefs, values, and norms on that population rather than using force.

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interpellate British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːpɛˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) parliamentary procedure (in European legislatures) to question (a member of the government) on a point of government policy, often interrupting the business of the day

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Other Word Forms

• interpellation
  noun
• interpellator
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of interpellate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin interpellātus, past participle of interpellāre “to interrupt,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -pellā(re) “to speak” + -tus past participle suffix; see inter-

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interpellate interpellated interpellating

Attempts last week to interpellate Prime Minister Laval's Government about the loan brought a smash vote.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was found that not one of the four Deputies registered to interpellate was ready.

From Time Magazine Archive

A motion to interpellate M. Briand at once passed with the dramatic suddenness of a pistol shot.

From Time Magazine Archive

And no deputy rises to interpellate the liars!

From History of the Commune of 1871 by P. Lissagary

When the people arrived at Montbazon, the Baron de Vaux must interpellate the leader, and be guided by that person's attitude.

From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield

But smartphones are more like multitools, and the user is constantly interpellated to do plumbing repairs, tighten loose screws, hone edges, saw twigs, and cut wires—often within seconds of one another.

From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2025

We may not be worried about getting stuck in the airport, interpellated into such a stark cyberpunk scene.

From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2019

Dramatically, two days later, the Tokyo government was interpellated on Count Uchida's speech by Deputy Hitoshi Ashida. a seasoned diplomat and often spokesman on foreign affairs for the Seiyukai Party, largest in the Diet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Testily M. Briand refused to be interpellated, sought to force the Chamber to begin debating the budget, perhaps his one chance to keep the Deputies harmlessly preoccupied for some weeks.

From Time Magazine Archive

Being pulled and interpellated by half a dozen attendants, my course was to look stupid, and to pretend ignorance of the language.

From Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 2 by Sir Richard Francis Burton

He doesn’t do much boasting about himself—but by interpellating the crowd in particular terms, Antony is casting himself as one of their number.*

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

In late December, he sent in his official report32 to President Davis and, that done, held himself in readiness to respond to any interpellating call that the Provincial Congress might see fit to make.

From The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War by Annie Heloise Abel

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