referendum
noun
or referendums
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
Wenyuan Wu, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024
However, this election may come to be seen less as a referendum on female presidency, and more a reflection of Americans' concerns over the economy, immigration, and their enduring admiration for Trump, rather than inherent biases against female candidates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Detractors painted the election as a referendum on Breed’s efforts to address sprawling homeless encampments, rampant property crime and a flagging post-pandemic economy that cut at voters’ sense of a safe, well-functioning city.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
The outcome of the local transportation referendum could set the stage for decades of ambitious government projects.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referendum 
Dictionary Entries Near referendum
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referendum. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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referendum
noun
or referendums
Legal Definition
referendum
noun
or referendums
New Latin, from Latin, neuter of referendus, gerundive of referre to refer
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