Definition of referendum in English:
referendum
nounPlural referendums, Plural referenda ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəmˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm
A general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
Example sentencesExamples
- There is speculation that Britain will hold a national referendum on the issue sometime in 2003.
- The promised referendum on independence has never materialised.
- If Blair were to lose a euro referendum, he might well be finished as Prime Minister.
- The second example is about collection of signatures for the presidential recall referendum in Venezuela.
- The third option is to do nothing until an abortion referendum is held.
- The government's reasons for proposing the citizenship referendum have shifted repeatedly since it was first announced.
- A special survey of Welsh voters shows next week's devolution referendum in the principality is too close to call.
- He could also claim a legitimacy built on a succession of victories in irreproachably clean popular votes in referendums and multi-party elections.
- Land reform became the cornerstone of Mugabe's agenda after he lost a national constitutional referendum in February 2000.
- East Timor's struggle for independence was decided by a landmark referendum in August and approved by Indonesia in October.
- My first close involvement with Robin was during the devolution referendum campaign of the late 1970s.
- In it, Baudrillard describes the French referendum on the European constitution as a farce, and as state terrorism.
- Sharon could also decide to call a national referendum on the issue, which he would probably win.
- His new constitution was approved by a referendum in September 1958.
- If a euro referendum is not held before 2006, Mr Brown could have a long wait for the job.
- But the single biggest factor that could dictate prices is the French referendum on the European constitution.
- Again, as your correspondents have mentioned, he lost this constitutional referendum in February.
- Madrid supports a UN-sponsored referendum over the future of the territory.
- French philosopher and social critic Paul Virilio writes on the upcoming French referendum on the European constitution.
- Residents will have the final say on the proposals as part of next year's devolution referendum.
Synonyms
public vote, plebiscite, popular vote, ballot, poll
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin, gerund ( 'referring') or neuter gerundive ( 'something to be brought back or referred') of referre (see refer).
Definition of referendum in US English:
referendum
nounˌrɛfəˈrɛndəmˌrefəˈrendəm
A general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
Example sentencesExamples
- Sharon could also decide to call a national referendum on the issue, which he would probably win.
- The promised referendum on independence has never materialised.
- A special survey of Welsh voters shows next week's devolution referendum in the principality is too close to call.
- Madrid supports a UN-sponsored referendum over the future of the territory.
- Again, as your correspondents have mentioned, he lost this constitutional referendum in February.
- His new constitution was approved by a referendum in September 1958.
- If a euro referendum is not held before 2006, Mr Brown could have a long wait for the job.
- French philosopher and social critic Paul Virilio writes on the upcoming French referendum on the European constitution.
- In it, Baudrillard describes the French referendum on the European constitution as a farce, and as state terrorism.
- Land reform became the cornerstone of Mugabe's agenda after he lost a national constitutional referendum in February 2000.
- The third option is to do nothing until an abortion referendum is held.
- The government's reasons for proposing the citizenship referendum have shifted repeatedly since it was first announced.
- He could also claim a legitimacy built on a succession of victories in irreproachably clean popular votes in referendums and multi-party elections.
- There is speculation that Britain will hold a national referendum on the issue sometime in 2003.
- But the single biggest factor that could dictate prices is the French referendum on the European constitution.
- East Timor's struggle for independence was decided by a landmark referendum in August and approved by Indonesia in October.
- If Blair were to lose a euro referendum, he might well be finished as Prime Minister.
- My first close involvement with Robin was during the devolution referendum campaign of the late 1970s.
- Residents will have the final say on the proposals as part of next year's devolution referendum.
- The second example is about collection of signatures for the presidential recall referendum in Venezuela.
Synonyms
public vote, plebiscite, popular vote, ballot, poll
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin, gerund ( ‘referring’) or neuter gerundive ( ‘something to be brought back or referred’) of referre (see refer).