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Politics & Government vocabulary · Campaigns and Public Opinion

Public opinion

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

/ˌpʌblɪk əˈpɪnjən/nounCore term

In politics & government, public opinion means: The views and attitudes that most people in a society hold about an issue, a policy or a political leader at a given time.

In Turkish: kamuoyu

How it is used

Public opinion shifts or turns against something, and politicians try to shape, influence or follow it. It is measured mainly by opinion polls. Reports often say that public opinion is divided on an issue.

Example sentences

  1. Public opinion is divided over plans to close the old airport.

  2. The government changed its approach after public opinion turned against the new tax.

Common collocations

  • shape public opinion
  • public opinion is divided
  • a shift in public opinion
  • public opinion research
  • opinion pollA 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.
  • approval ratingA figure, usually a percentage from opinion polls, that shows how many people think a leader or government is doing a good job.
  • spinA way of presenting information or events, especially to the media, that makes them look as favourable as possible for a politician, party or government.
  • polarizationA situation in which opinions in a society or parliament divide into two strongly opposed groups, with less and less common ground between them.

More terms: Campaigns and Public Opinion

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