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

“After another day of market stress” on Thursday, they said, the ultimatum was “delayed further to April 6.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 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

But the story really begins with an ultimatum.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

So before delivering the ultimatum, Austria obtained a pledge of support from its ally, Germany, in the event of a war.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

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