vote of no confidence

American  

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

Also no-confidence vote

noun

1. 1. (in a legislative or similar body) a vote of confidence, from the perspective of those demanding it in the hope of a negative outcome for the party or person in power.

      The board of directors survived a vote of no confidence Wednesday.

   2. a negative outcome of such a vote; a decision by the majority of members of a legislature or similar body against the person or party in power.

      UK prime minister James Callaghan was defeated by a vote of no confidence in 1979.

2. any formal vote, as in a general election, in which the majority votes against the person or party in power.

   The election was a clear vote of no confidence in the PM—not only did his party lose, but he lost his own seat.

3. any expression of lack of support or confidence.

   He says the existence of militias in his country is a vote of no confidence in the government's ability to provide justice and security.

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vote of no confidence British  

noun

1. Also called: vote of censure.  parliament a vote on a motion put by the Opposition censuring an aspect of the Government's policy; if the motion is carried the Government is obliged to resign

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Etymology

Origin of vote of no confidence

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Fifty-five years ago, increasingly restive global central banks wanted to dump U.S. dollars for gold in a vote of no confidence in America’s policies.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele must recall the Pacific Island nation's parliament to face a vote of no confidence, an appeal court ruled on Friday.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Opposition MSPs triggered a vote of no confidence against the justice secretary in December.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

After a year of internal furor at Harvard and a faculty vote of no confidence, Summers eventually stepped down as president.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

In 1957, the Africanists had called for a vote of no confidence in the Transvaal executive at the national conference, but had been defeated.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela