popular sovereignty
Americannoun
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the doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of such power, must exercise it in conformity with the general will.
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American History. (before the Civil War) a doctrine, held chiefly by the opponents of the abolitionists, that the people living in a territory should be free of federal interference in determining domestic policy, especially with respect to slavery.
noun
Etymology
Origin of popular sovereignty
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50
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.
A free Venezuela’s foreign policy will rest on four pillars: “respect for international law, the defense of popular sovereignty, the promotion of freedom and democracy worldwide, and joint action against transnational organized crime.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025
"Let's shout together for the world to support our victory and recognize truth and popular sovereignty", she said on Sunday.
From BBC • Aug. 11, 2024
This presumably includes upholding such precepts as the rule of law, popular sovereignty, popular consent, public accountability, separate and shared powers, and checks and balances.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2023
During the inquiry, which included interviews with 19 witnesses, Rubin said the comment about Douglas referred to an analogy she made about the concept of popular sovereignty, according to the report.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2023
And one sees that Sun Yat-sen, in proposing a democracy, suggested an ideology which would continue the old Chinese thesis of eventual popular sovereignty as reconciled with administration by an intellectually disciplined elite.
From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
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.
