noun
plebiscite
PLEB-ih-syte/ˈplebɪsaɪt/
A direct vote by citizens on a political question.
The government holds a plebiscite on the country's new constitution.
Etymology
The pieces express the common people's assent. The Latin compound named a decree passed by the people; the modern word names the direct vote through which people express their decision.
In context
the people living in the Saar would take part in a plebiscite. A plebiscite is just a vote in which people decide an important political question.
More examples
- The island's residents request a plebiscite on independence.
- The results of the plebiscite are not legally binding.
- Several plebiscites have addressed the territory's political status.
Forms
plebiscite · plebiscites
Similar words
- referendum
- Often concerns a specific proposed law rather than broader political status.