plebiscite

American  

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

noun

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.

---

plebiscite British  

/ pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ, 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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived 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

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

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

Under the circumstances of the Occupation the plebiscite was, of course, almost unanimous for the desired change, and the new constitution was promulgated on June 18, 1918.

From Self-Determining Haiti Four articles reprinted from The Nation embodying a report of an investigation made for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. by Johnson, James Weldon

Related Words

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