ultimatum

[ uhl-tuh-mey-tuhm, -mah- ]

noun

, plural ul·ti·ma·tums, ul·ti·ma·ta [uhl-t, uh, -, mey, -t, uh, -, mah, -].

1. a final, uncompromising demand or set of terms issued by a party to a dispute, the rejection of which may lead to a severance of relations or to the use of force.
2. a final proposal or statement of conditions.

ultimatum

/ ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm /

noun

1. a final communication by a party, esp a government, setting forth conditions on which it insists, as during negotiations on some topic
2. any final or peremptory demand, offer, or proposal

ultimatum

1. A formal message delivered from one government to another threatening war if the receiving government fails to comply with conditions set forth in the message. For example, after the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914, the government of Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia, which Austria held responsible for the assassination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from New Latin, noun use of neuter of Late Latin ultimātus “ended, finished,” past participle of ultimāre “to come to an end”; ultimate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum¹

C18: from New Latin, neuter of ultimatus ultimate

Example Sentences

Obama would then give Congress an ultimatum: Act by a certain date, perhaps a hundred days into the new Congress, or he will.

From The Daily Beast

And so Scheunemann offered an ultimatum: Kick Spencer out, or he would leave.

From The Daily Beast

So Giles issues Ellie an ultimatum: Find Matthew Smith and write a killer story, or find yourself a new job.

From The Daily Beast

This is an ultimatum seeking a target in the disorienting matrix of asymmetric warfare.

From The Daily Beast

Putin said there had been no ultimatum for Ukrainian forces to surrender, as was widely reported Monday.

From The Daily Beast

The manhood of Homestead rebelled: the millmen scorned the despotic ultimatum.

From Project Gutenberg

On receiving this ultimatum, the magistrates asked for time to communicate with the Elector and the King of England.

From Project Gutenberg

But, probably realising the futility of such a course, he changed his mind, and delivered an ultimatum from the top step.

From Project Gutenberg

After favouring me with his ultimatum, the Vicomte looked at me expectantly.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 9th of October, 1899, the Transvaal Government presented an ultimatum.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• warning