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.
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Recent Examples of referendum
The November election was a referendum on current policies, and the 119th Congress has been tasked with tackling important issues led by the U.S. economy.
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The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Carter spoke about Sudan — its possibilities and dangers, and the fact that in coming months the country’s south, with its vast oil reserves, would hold an independence referendum on whether to secede from the north.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Small anti-monarchy protests also greeted Charles during an October trip to Australia, which is set to vote on a referendum on whether to remain a constitutional monarchy.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
The year saw Nashville approve a landmark transportation funding referendum that was decades in the making.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referendum 
The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Carter spoke about Sudan — its possibilities and dangers, and the fact that in coming months the country’s south, with its vast oil reserves, would hold an independence referendum on whether to secede from the north.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Small anti-monarchy protests also greeted Charles during an October trip to Australia, which is set to vote on a referendum on whether to remain a constitutional monarchy.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
The year saw Nashville approve a landmark transportation funding referendum that was decades in the making.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referendum
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Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
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