vote of confidence

Also con·fi·dence vote

[voht uhv kon-fi-duhns]

noun

1. 1. (in a legislative or similar body) a formal vote, especially after the introduction of a crucial and controversial piece of policy, to determine whether the majority of members are still prepared to allow the party or person in power to continue governing.

      The Opposition called for a vote of confidence in parliament yesterday.

      With the Tory Party deeply divided, the PM lost a vote of confidence on his Irish policy and had to resign.

   2. a favorable outcome of such a vote for the person or party in power.

      The Knesset gave a slim vote of confidence to the eight-party coalition government.

2. any formal vote in favor of a person or party already in power, a policy or program, etc..

   Despite record low turnout, he called the election result a vote of confidence for his party.

3. any expression of support.

   Your subscription to our magazine is a vote of confidence for our advocacy work.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote of confidence¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Chancellor Rachel Reeves called the move a "multi-billion pound vote of confidence in the UK economy".

Read more on BBC

MFS chief executive Robert Laycock has said it is a "a real vote of confidence in the UK and in its creative industries".

Read more on BBC

His vote of confidence came even as quarterly results broadly missed expectations.

Read more on Barron's

"The project is a win-win and a massive vote of confidence in London," said Sir Sadiq.

Read more on BBC

Emirates, the Middle East's biggest airline, topped up its order of Boeing 777X planes on Monday despite years of delays, delivering a vote of confidence to the US manufacturer at the Dubai Airshow.

Read more on Barron's