public-opinion poll

[ puhb-lik-uh-pin-yuhn ]

noun

1. a poll taken by sampling a cross section of the public in an effort to predict election results or to estimate public attitudes on issues.

Word History and Origins

Origin of public-opinion poll¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Schiff remains a heavy favorite in the race, and has led Garvey by a wide margin in recent public opinion polls.

From Los Angeles Times

Kamala Harris immediately leveraged a high-dominance leadership strategy, buttressed by positive messaging, to launch a sustained offensive that was immediately reflected in public opinion polls.

From Salon

Current public opinion polls show a neck-and-neck race for the presidency nationally and in the blue wall, battleground states.

From BBC

The public opinion polls show that a little over two weeks before Election Day, Harris and Trump are basically tied both nationally and in the key battleground states.

From Salon

In comparison, public opinion polls conducted over recent years in the UK have regularly indicated support for legalisation of assisted dying with majorities recorded in the 60-75% range.

From BBC

Related Words

• application
• census
• sampling
• survey