plebiscite
Americannoun
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a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.
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the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.
noun
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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
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any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter
Other Word Forms
- plebiscitary adjective
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
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.
When India became independent in 1947, Naga leaders refused to join the new republic, declaring, "We are not Indians", and held their own unrecognised plebiscite for independence in 1951.
From BBC
He listed off a string of achievements by the Greens under his leadership, including the party's pivotal role in the marriage equality plebiscite, the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum, and advancing "world-leading climate legislation".
From BBC
The UN recommended holding a plebiscite to settle the question of whether the state would join India or Pakistan.
From BBC
In April’s parliamentary plebiscite, Mr. Lee’s party will seek to expand its current majority in the National Assembly.
From Washington Times
There was the overwhelming rejection of that text last year in a national plebiscite.
From New York Times
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.
