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

Another Blue Owl private-credit fund earlier this week successfully sold $400 million worth of bonds in a possible vote of confidence for the firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

In a vote of confidence, Gies will purchase $100 million of supervoting Class B shares in conjunction with the offering at the deal price.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Oppenheimer analysts, however, took this month’s stock purchases from Cook and Hill as a vote of confidence in the company.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

But the stocks were getting an extra boost on Friday after Lumentum’s CEO pointed to sustained demand from hyperscalers and both companies received a fresh vote of confidence from J.P.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 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