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referendum

American  
[ref-uh-ren-duhm] / ˌrɛf əˈrɛn dəm /

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 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.”)

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.

Etymology

Origin of referendum

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Miles told the Senedd debate on Tuesday that the motion was "not a referendum on legalising assisted dying" with only the UK Parliament able to make that decision.

From BBC

That is unlikely to be the end of the road, however, as after passing muster with parliament it is expected to be put to voters in a referendum.

From Barron's

As the UK's consul general between 2016 and 2017 Dame Antonia's job involved promoting UK trade and business in New York, in the immediate aftermath of the referendum to take Britain out of the EU.

From BBC

Over two days in Florida last January, the then-president-elect discussed energy cooperation with Alberta’s conservative leader, Premier Danielle Smith, who later opened the door to a referendum.

From The Wall Street Journal

Repealing it requires that the legislature pass two identical resolutions to amend the Constitution in successive sessions separated by an election and, ultimately, voter approval in a statewide referendum.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.