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.

Examples of referendum in a Sentence

The issue was decided by referendum.

Recent Examples on the Web

The president plans to hold a referendum on April 21 to decide whether to give the military and security forces some kind of permanent control over prisons and ports. —Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024

Indianapolis Public Schools middle school students across the district will soon have athletic facilities on par with those at the high schools, as the district applies some of the money earned through its capital referendum to spruce up campuses. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024

The referendum, which had a low turnout rate, didn’t settle the legal back-and-forth and internal power plays. —Haleluya Hadero, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

The party’s leader Alice Weidel told the Financial Times in January that AfD considers Brexit a model for Germany and would hold a referendum for a potential Dexit. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024

Schools Over Stadiums spokesman Alex Marks believes the organization has raised enough money and signed up enough volunteers to collect signatures in time to get a referendum on the ballot in November. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024

Opponents think vague language, especially in the second referendum question, may lead to lawsuits. —Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024

More:Should voters support April 2 referendum for MPS? —Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024

The data, however, shows that Wisconsin voters typically pass referendums put on the ballot. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

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 ˌref-ə-ˈren-dəm 

plural referenda -də  or referendums

: the idea or practice of letting voters approve or disapprove laws or suggested laws

also : such a vote

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

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, neuter of referendus, gerundive of referre to refer