referendum

noun

ref·er·en·dum ˌre-fə-ˈren-dəm How to pronounce referendum (audio)

plural referenda ˌre-fə-ˈren-də How to pronounce referendum (audio)

or referendums

: the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative

: a vote on a measure so submitted

: a diplomatic agent's note asking for government instructions

Did you know?

Referendum is a Latin word, but its modern meaning only dates from the 19th century, when a new constitution adopted by Switzerland stated that the voters could vote directly on certain issues. Thus, a referendum is a measure that's referred (that is, sent on) to the people. Since the U.S. Constitution doesn't provide for referenda (notice the common plural form) at the national level, referenda tend to be on local and state issues. In most locales, a few questions usually appear on the ballot at election time, often involving such issues as new zoning ordinances, new taxes for schools, and new limits on spending.

Example Sentences

The issue was decided by referendum.

Recent Examples on the Web Makepeace, 51, was critical of Conservative policies, and said that Brexit, which Blackpool overwhelmingly favored in a 2016 referendum, had also had a negative effect on the town.

Megan Specia, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 His intentions to turn an empire, in which one nationality dominated over subordinate peoples, into a genuinely democratic federation of equal nations was approved by more than three-quarters of those who voted in a referendum in March 1991.

Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 The decision of longtime clerk Dawn Tandle to not seek reelection in the April 2023 municipal election prompted discussion by staff and Village Board members, who decided to put the question to voters in a binding Nov. 8 referendum.

Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 Congress has for years prohibited the city from doing that even though D.C. voters opted to legalize possession of marijuana in a 2014 referendum.

Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 New Zealanders rejected a new national flag in a referendum six years ago.

Stephen Wright, WSJ, 27 July 2022 Referenda are far from ideal, but the fact remains that the parliamentary system has on each occasion eventually adapted to the reality of the public’s decision in a referendum.

Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022 Roughly 75% of voters approved a state constitutional ban in Georgia in a 2004 referendum.

Shelia Poole, ajc, 14 July 2022 In 2016, Johnson betrayed David Cameron, the prime minister, by coming out in support of Leave in the referendum on British membership of the European Union and then playing a prominent and maybe decisive part in the campaign.

Geoffrey Wheatcroft, The New Republic, 11 July 2022 See More

单词	referendum
释义	referendum noun ref·er·en·dum ˌre-fə-ˈren-dəm plural referenda ˌre-fə-ˈren-də or referendums 1 a : the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative b : a vote on a measure so submitted 2 : a diplomatic agent's note asking for government instructions Did you know? Referendum is a Latin word, but its modern meaning only dates from the 19th century, when a new constitution adopted by Switzerland stated that the voters could vote directly on certain issues. Thus, a referendum is a measure that's referred (that is, sent on) to the people. Since the U.S. Constitution doesn't provide for referenda (notice the common plural form) at the national level, referenda tend to be on local and state issues. In most locales, a few questions usually appear on the ballot at election time, often involving such issues as new zoning ordinances, new taxes for schools, and new limits on spending. Example Sentences The issue was decided by referendum. Recent Examples on the Web Makepeace, 51, was critical of Conservative policies, and said that Brexit, which Blackpool overwhelmingly favored in a 2016 referendum, had also had a negative effect on the town. Megan Specia, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 His intentions to turn an empire, in which one nationality dominated over subordinate peoples, into a genuinely democratic federation of equal nations was approved by more than three-quarters of those who voted in a referendum in March 1991. Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 The decision of longtime clerk Dawn Tandle to not seek reelection in the April 2023 municipal election prompted discussion by staff and Village Board members, who decided to put the question to voters in a binding Nov. 8 referendum. Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 Congress has for years prohibited the city from doing that even though D.C. voters opted to legalize possession of marijuana in a 2014 referendum. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 New Zealanders rejected a new national flag in a referendum six years ago. Stephen Wright, WSJ, 27 July 2022 Referenda are far from ideal, but the fact remains that the parliamentary system has on each occasion eventually adapted to the reality of the public’s decision in a referendum. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022 Roughly 75% of voters approved a state constitutional ban in Georgia in a 2004 referendum. Shelia Poole, ajc, 14 July 2022 In 2016, Johnson betrayed David Cameron, the prime minister, by coming out in support of Leave in the referendum on British membership of the European Union and then playing a prominent and maybe decisive part in the campaign. Geoffrey Wheatcroft, The New Republic, 11 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology New Latin, from Latin, neuter of referendus, gerundive of referre to refer First Known Use 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition referendum noun ref·er·en·dum ˌre-fə-ˈren-dəm plural referenda -də or referendums : the practice of voting on an issue Legal Definition referendum noun ref·er·en·dum ˌrə-fə-ˈren-dəm plural referenda -də or referendums : the submission to popular vote of a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative also : the popular vote on a measure so submitted History and Etymology for referendum New Latin, from Latin, neuter of referendus, gerundive of referre to refer referendum noun as in vote an event in which the electorate votes for or against a law that deals with a specific issue They are having a referendum so the public can decide the controversial issue. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance vote ballot aye ay yea nay no non placet secret ballot absentee ballot short ballot blackball write-in ticket Australian ballot
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referendum

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

noun