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

In the 2024 plebiscite, 58% chose statehood, and 88% favored maintaining a close relationship with the United States. —George Laws Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025

Sarah Wambaugh: The Cincinnati native was the leading expert in plebiscites, votes by the people on a major political change. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The second was the U.S. election of 2020, which Joe Biden framed as a plebiscite on a dangerously venal leader, and which came just after that year’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the largest in American history. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 4 June 2025

This temporarily incorporated Kashmir into India, which would then be subject to a public vote—though no such plebiscite ultimately took place. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2025

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

Rhymes for plebiscite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

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