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referendum
[ ref-uh-ren-duhm ]
noun
- the principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body, head of state, etc., to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection. Compare initiative ( def 4a ).
- a measure thus referred.
- a vote on such a measure.
referendum
/ ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm /
noun
- submission of an issue of public importance to the direct vote of the electorate
- a vote on such a measure
- a poll of the members of a club, union, or other group to determine their views on some matter
- a diplomatic official's note to his government requesting instructions
referendum
1- A direct popular vote on an issue of public policy, such as a proposed amendment to a state constitution or a proposed law. Referendums, which allow the general population to participate in policymaking, are not used at the national level, but are common at the state and local levels. A referendum is often used to gauge popular approval or rejection of laws recently passed or under consideration by a state legislature. A referendum can also be used to initiate legislative action.
referendum
2- A vote by the general public, rather than by governmental bodies, on a bill or some other important issue; a plebiscite . ( See under “American Politics.” )
Word History and Origins
Origin of referendum1
Word History and Origins
Origin of referendum1
Example Sentences
In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.
The month of May will see an Irish referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage.
In February, Slovakia will have a referendum on whether marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.
And randomly selected panels are well suited to political questions that we might otherwise addresses through a big referendum.
In particular, a video of an apparently inebriated Morgan has embarrassed supporters of the referendum.
A majority of the voters voted in the affirmative at the referendum election held in January 1956.
The referendum is the submission of every issue to the people.
I've got news too—the referendum was eight to one for strike—and the national's wired that John Dawson's on the way!
One reason for this result was that the verdict was given in a general election, not in a referendum.
Having achieved that status the Irish people may by referendum freely choose their own form of government.
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