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Politics & Government vocabulary · Campaigns and Public Opinion

Opinion poll

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

nounCore term

In politics & government, opinion poll means: A survey in which a sample of people are asked questions to find out what the public thinks, for example which party they intend to vote for.

In Turkish: kamuoyu yoklaması, anket, seçim anketi

How it is used

Often just called a poll. Polls are carried out and published, and they show a party ahead, behind or neck and neck. Results include a margin of error. Polling companies and pollsters run them, and a party can lead in the polls or fall in the polls.

Example sentences

  1. The latest opinion poll puts the two main parties neck and neck.

  2. Opinion polls suggest that most voters see healthcare as the top issue.

Common collocations

  • conduct an opinion poll
  • latest opinion poll
  • lead in the polls
  • margin of error
  • exit poll
  • public opinionThe views and attitudes that most people in a society hold about an issue, a policy or a political leader at a given time.
  • approval ratingA figure, usually a percentage from opinion polls, that shows how many people think a leader or government is doing a good job.
  • swing voterA voter who does not always support the same party and may change their choice from one election to the next, so campaigns work hard to win them.
  • campaignA planned series of activities, such as speeches, advertisements and meetings with voters, that a candidate or party carries out to win an election.

More terms: Campaigns and Public Opinion

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