vote of confidence

American  

[voht uhv kon-fi-duhns] / ˈvoʊt əv ˈkɒn fɪ dəns /

Also confidence vote

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.

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Etymology

Origin of vote of confidence

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vote of confidence

But just the fact of the donation and the vote of confidence from a prominent individual may help schools some.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

A spaceport spokesperson said the funding was a "hugely significant" vote of confidence and would unlock a further £30m of private investment.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

The United States said Wednesday it will delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, a decades-old designation that severely impeded investment, in a new vote of confidence in leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

That is, by any measure, a remarkable vote of confidence in the infrastructure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

Stanton called for a vote of confidence, and she got it, but the debate was just getting started.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling