Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
plebiscite

plebiscite

5 8.8
A direct vote by all voters about an important public question like independence or a new constitution
  • noun
  • /ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plebiscito
  • We can't resort to plebiscites time and time again.
  • plebiscite held
  • national plebiscite
  • 1988 plebiscite

We demand plebiscites in those areas of our country that you wish to take from us.

Examples

  • However, the plebiscite on the constitution was noncompetitive and offered no safeguards for the opposition.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Papadopoulos was proclaimed provisional president, and a plebiscite ratifying the change was scheduled for 29 July 1973.

    Academic text (1990)

  • After this, there would be a plebiscite on the region's future.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Second, an election is not a substitute for a plebiscite or referendum.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Elections, particularly a plebiscite on status in a colony, are not a real exercise in democracy.

    Blog text (29)

  • We demand plebiscites in those areas of our country that you wish to take from us.

    The Great War

  • 85% of German voters chose to grant him even more power in the August 1934 plebiscite.

    Blog text (32)

  • Mr. President, um... I'm here... because the people of East Timor, in a plebiscite, chose to be independent.

    Sergio (2020)

  • The ability of these machines to influence both the 1993 plebiscite and the process of constitutional revision should not be underestimated.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The government announced that a plebiscite would be held to decide on the proposed constitutional changes.

Synonyms

referendum
vsplebiscite
  • Formal
197 5.6

A public vote where people decide on one political question

is reserved for votes on very important issues like constitutional change or independence

Surface Forms

plebiscite singular
plebiscites plural

Etymology

The word plebiscite comes from the Latin plebs meaning 'common people' and from plebiscitum, a word for a decision made by those people. So a plebiscite today is a direct vote where the people decide an important public question, like a change to the constitution or independence.