referendum

American  

[ref-uh-ren-duhm] / ˌrɛf əˈrɛn dəm /

noun

referendums, plural referenda plural

1. the principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body, head of state, etc., to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.

2. a measure thus referred.

3. a vote on such a measure.

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referendum British  

/ ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm /

noun

1. submission of an issue of public importance to the direct vote of the electorate

2. a vote on such a measure

3. a poll of the members of a club, union, or other group to determine their views on some matter

4. a diplomatic official's note to his government requesting instructions

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referendum ¹ Cultural  

1. A vote by the general public, rather than by governmental bodies, on a bill or some other important issue; a plebiscite. (See under “American Politics.”)

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referendum ² Cultural  

1. A direct popular vote on an issue of public policy, such as a proposed amendment to a state constitution or a proposed law. Referendums, which allow the general population to participate in policymaking, are not used at the national level, but are common at the state and local levels. A referendum is often used to gauge popular approval or rejection of laws recently passed or under consideration by a state legislature. A referendum can also be used to initiate legislative action.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• referenda
  plural
• referendums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of referendum

1840–50; < Latin: “(thing) to be referred” (neuter gerundive of referre “to bring back”; see refer)

Explanation

A referendum is a direct vote by the people on a specific proposal, law, or political issue. It's often part of a larger election. On many issues, our elected representatives argue, negotiate, and make a law, but sometimes there's a referendum — the issue is put directly to the people for a vote as part of an election. Usually, a referendum is a yes or no question. Smaller groups can have referendums, too — like a school system deciding whether or not to have school uniforms or a longer school year.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

referendum referenda referendums

But it looks as though any forthcoming cooperation will not include enabling another independence referendum.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The border was closed by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1969 after Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain British.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Yes Scotland Ltd, which was launched by former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond to campaign for independence ahead of the referendum, has not been active since 2014.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Farage, who helped persuade Britons to vote to leave the EU during a divisive referendum in 2016, was elected an MP on his eighth attempt during the July 2024 general election.

From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026

Of about 612,000 women who were eligible to vote in the referendum, only about 7 percent registered and only about 4 percent voted.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Quebec, a majority French-speaking province, fiercely protects its identity and its culture as a distinct society, and has twice held referenda - in 1980 and 1995 - on whether to seek independence.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

State referenda can be difficult to poll, but surveys say Maine on Tuesday might have a couple of squeakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2025

Berlin, Hamburg and the Ruhr region are also developing bids, with referenda to be held in 2026.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025

The report acknowledges that any constitutional change is a long way off, and would likely require a combination of petitions, referenda and legislation by the Scottish and U.K. governments.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2023

In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway   rejected joining the EU.

From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Speaking of referendums, how about one to eliminate the State of the Union?

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

But two different drafts, presented in 2022 and 2023 referendums, failed to pass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025

"I think that deliberation, whether spread broadly in the schools or before national elections, before referendums, before initiatives, could become part of everyday life."

From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2025

Those who have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year can contest or vote in New Zealand's elections and referendums.

From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2024

On the ballot in November 1867, the men in Kansas faced two referendums, one that deleted the word “white” from the description of voters and a second that deleted the word “male.”

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• election
• poll
• vote