interpellate
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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Sociology. to maintain power over a population by imposing beliefs, values, and norms on that population rather than using force.
verb
Other Word Forms
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-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
I was about condescendingly to interpellate him in my best Polish, when I caught the gleam of an angry yellow eye and noted the bristle of a red beard—Kossowski!
From The Lock and Key Library Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English by Castle, Egerton
And first," pursued Danton, indicating Lafayette with a gesture of contempt, "and first I interpellate Monsieur Lafayette, here present.
From The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 or The Foundation of the French Republic, A Tale of The French Revolution by Sue, Eug?ne
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
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
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
And not a hundredth part of such accused persons can cause a Minister of the Crown to be interpellated on their behalf.
From Old Calabria by Douglas, Norman
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 Abel, Annie Heloise
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
