What does "plebiscite" mean?
A direct popular vote on an issue of public importance, such as an amendment to the constitution, a change in the sovereignty of the nation, or some government policy.
Plebiscite
/ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A direct popular vote on an issue of public importance, such as an amendment to the constitution, a change in the sovereignty of the nation, or some government policy.
- Grammar: plebiscite is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: australian ballot, aye, ballot, canvass.
- Useful contrasts: defer, ignore, indirect election.
- Usage evidence: Quite a few British people were really cut up about the results of the plebiscite, but those who had not bothered to vote had only themselves to blame.
How to use "plebiscite"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "plebiscite" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "plebiscite" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "plebiscite" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A direct popular vote on an issue of public importance, such as an amendment to the constitution, a change in the sovereignty of the nation, or some government policy.
"A political result, we may also say aim, of the frumentarian plebiscite of Gaius was to disattach the city populace from its conservative moorings and to enlist it in the service of reform."
- 2 a vote by the electorate determining public opinion on a question of national importance wordnet
- 3 An expression of the public's views on an issue, whether legally binding or not. broadly
- 4 Synonym of plebiscitum (“a law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate”). Ancient-Rome, historical
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Quite a few British people were really cut up about the results of the plebiscite, but those who had not bothered to vote had only themselves to blame."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "plebiscite"?
Common synonyms include: australian ballot, aye, ballot, canvass, canvassing, casting vote.
How do you use "plebiscite" in a sentence?
Quite a few British people were really cut up about the results of the plebiscite, but those who had not bothered to vote had only themselves to blame.
How do you pronounce "plebiscite"?
Pronounced /ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/.
Etymology
Sense 1 (“referendum”) is borrowed from French plébiscite, from Latin plēbiscītum, plēbis scītum, plēbī scītum (“law of the common people or plebs”), from plēbis (the genitive singular of plēbs (“common people, plebeians”)) + scītum (“decree, ordinance, statute”). Sense 3 (“law enacted by the common people”) is a learned borrowing from Latin plēbiscītum: see above. It is attested earlier than English plebiscitum. Cognates * Italian plebiscito * Middle French plebiscite (modern French plébiscite) * Middle Low German plebiscīt (“ordinance”) * Spanish plebiscito, plebisçito (obsolete)