ultimatum

American  

[uhl-tuh-mey-tuhm, -mah-] / ˌʌl təˈmeɪ təm, -ˈmɑ- /

noun

plural

ultimatums, ultimata

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.

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ultimatum British  

/ 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

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ultimatum Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of ultimatum

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

Example Sentences

His extension last week of an ultimatum on attacking Iranian energy infrastructure did nothing to calm markets, and investors seem to be reacting less to his comments than to tangible news from the Persian Gulf.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 29, 2026

Coming just ahead of his own ultimatum, the move creates a potential off-ramp, at least for now.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Bush’s 48-hour ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq had just expired.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

Traders had bid up futures as the January ultimatum for them to leave Kuwait loomed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Once you give an ultimatum, you have to mean it.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Related Words

• warning