vote of confidence

[ voht uhv kon-fi-duhns ]

noun

1. 1. (in a legislative or similar body) a formal vote, especially after the introduction of a crucial and controversial piece of policy, to determine whether the majority of members are still prepared to allow the party or person in power to continue governing:

      The Opposition called for a vote of confidence in parliament yesterday.

      With the Tory Party deeply divided, the PM lost a vote of confidence on his Irish policy and had to resign.

   2. a favorable outcome of such a vote for the person or party in power:

      The Knesset gave a slim vote of confidence to the eight-party coalition government.

2. any formal vote in favor of a person or party already in power, a policy or program, etc.:

   Despite record low turnout, he called the election result a vote of confidence for his party.

3. any expression of support:

   Your subscription to our magazine is a vote of confidence for our advocacy work.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vote of confidence¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Scholz wants to hold a parliamentary vote of confidence on 15 January, which would then lead to elections in March, six months before their scheduled date.

From BBC

Germany's governing coalition is in crisis after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired a key minister and said he would call a vote of confidence in his government early next year.

From BBC

"The £20m was a vote of confidence in the future of our town and to take that away would be to knock the aspiration of the town."

From BBC

He said the government's decision to base a new state-owned company, GB Energy, in the north east of Scotland was a “vote of confidence” in the area's workforce.

From BBC

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "This is a massive vote of confidence in the Welsh economy."

From BBC