referendum

[ref-uh-ren-duhm]

noun

plural

referendums, referenda 

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.

referendum

/ 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

referendum

¹

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.”)

referendum

²

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of referendum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of referendum¹

C19: from Latin: something to be carried back, from referre to _refer

Example Sentences

The first minister said that a precedent had been set in 2011, when a historic SNP majority in the Scottish Parliament paved the way for the 2014 independence referendum.

From BBC

It feels a bit like the way Labour was pulled apart in the aftermath of the 2014 independence referendum, losing support at both ends of the spectrum.

From BBC

Last year Sandu called a referendum on enshrining the goal of EU membership in the constitution.

From BBC

Decades later, in 2002, the city's residents voted overwhelmingly against capital punishment in a referendum placed on local ballots by the Republican-controlled US Congress.

From BBC

The Ukrainian Constitution prohibits the concession of territory without the support of a public referendum, and polls indicate that 3 in 4 Ukrainians oppose giving up land in an attempt to end the war.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• election 
• poll 
• vote