A plebiscite is a direct vote by the people of a country or region in which they say whether they agree or disagree with a particular policy, for example whether a region should become an independent state.
Synonyms: vote, poll, referendum, ballot More Synonyms of plebiscite
plebiscite in British English
(ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt, -sɪt)
noun
1.
a direct vote by the electorate of a state, region, etc, on some question of usually national importance, such as union with another state or acceptance of a government programme
2.
any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter
See also referendum
Derived forms
plebiscitary (pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Old French plēbiscite, from Latin plēbiscītum decree of the people, from plēbs the populace + scītum, from scīscere to decree, approve, from scīre to know
plebiscite in American English
(ˈplɛbəˌsaɪt)
noun
an expression of the people's will by direct ballot on a political issue, as in choosing between independent nationhood or affiliation with another nation
Derived forms
plebiscitary (pleˈbisciˌtary) (pləˈbɪsəˌtɛri)
adjective
Word origin
Fr plébiscite < L plebiscitum < plebs, plebs + scitum, decree, neut. pp. of scire, to know: see science
Examples of 'plebiscite' in a sentence
plebiscite
In August, after von Hindenburg's death, a plebiscite made Hitler the Chancellor.
Gaskin, Catherine THE AMBASSADOR'S WOMEN
(noun)
Definition
a direct vote by all the electorate on an issue of national importance
The future of the country should be decided by plebiscite.
Synonyms
vote
They took a vote and decided not to do it.
poll
In 1945, Churchill was defeated at the polls.
referendum
a referendum on independence
ballot
The result of the ballot will not be known for two weeks.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ballot
Definition
the practice of selecting a representative or course of action by voting
The result of the ballot will not be known for two weeks.
Synonyms
vote,
election,
voting,
poll,
polling,
referendum,
show of hands
in the sense of poll
Definition
the casting, recording, or counting of votes in an election
In 1945, Churchill was defeated at the polls.
Synonyms
election,
vote,
voting,
referendum,
ballot,
plebiscite
in the sense of referendum
Definition
a direct vote of the electorate on a question of importance