Spanish word

plebiscito

Pronunciation

IPA/pleβisˈθito/

Meaning

  • masculine nounreferendum

Example

¿Cuándo será el plebiscito?

When will the referendum be held?

Illustration for plebiscito (referendum)

More examples

¿Vas a participar en el plebiscito de este domingo?

Are you going to take part in the referendum this Sunday?

Core concept

Direct yes-or-no public vote on a single proposal.

Common phrases

  • participar en el plebiscito

    take part in the referendum

  • resultado del plebiscito

    result of the referendum

Similar words

referéndum: Public vote to approve or reject a law or specific political measure.
consulta: Vote held to consult citizens' opinions, often advisory and not legally binding.
votación: Formal process of casting ballots to choose among candidates or options.
voto: Individual ballot or act of expressing support or opposition in a public vote.

Definition in Spanish

Plebiscito es una consulta pública en la que los habitantes de un país o región votan sí o no sobre una propuesta concreta.

Word origin

From Latin plebiscitum, originally a resolution of the plebs (common people) in ancient Rome, the word now denotes a direct popular vote on a concrete proposal.

Usage tips

  • In many Spanish-speaking contexts plebiscito overlaps with referéndum, and official wording determines whether the vote is binding or limited to one issue.

Other meanings

  • plebiscitenoun

Word lists with this word