plebiscite

noun

pleb·​i·​scite ˈple-bə-ˌsīt 

-sət,

 also  -ˌsēt

: a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler

plebiscitary

ple-ˈbi-sə-ˌter-ē 

pli-;

ˌple-bə-ˈsī-tə-rē

adjective

Examples of plebiscite in a Sentence

They are going to hold a plebiscite on the question of national independence.

The issue will be decided by plebiscite.

Recent Examples on the Web

This means that no such plebiscite can be lawful unless the British government in London agrees to it. —Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2023

Building on her father’s signature initiative, the Varela Project, Payá has continued promoting the idea of conducting a vote called a plebiscite in Cuba that would potentially pave the way for democratic changes. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024

Swiss voters backed a plan to raise pensions, the first time in the country’s history that social benefits got an increase via plebiscite. —Bastian Benrath, Fortune Europe, 3 Mar. 2024

One of the few on the right who voted against Pinochet in a 1988 plebiscite, Piñera helped mold a new right wing that focused more on economic liberalism than Catholic conservatism and authoritarianism. —TIME, 7 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French plébiscite "law or regulation put to the vote of the entire electoral body, the process of taking such a vote," borrowed from Latin plēbisscītum, plēbīscītum "resolution of a plebeian assembly, unconditionally valid as law in Rome after a secession of the plebs in 287 b.c.," from plēbis, plēbī, genitive of plēbs plebs + scītum "resolution of a popular assembly, decree," noun derivative from neuter of scītus, past participle of scīscere "to get to know, vote for, approve (a resolution)," inchoative of sciō, scīre "to know" — more at science

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

plebiscite

noun

pleb·​i·​scite ˈpleb-ə-ˌsīt 

-sət

: a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler