ultimatum

[ uhl-tuh-mey-tuhm, -mah- ]

noun

, plural ul·ti·ma·tums, ul·ti·ma·ta [uhl-t, uh, -, mey, -t, uh, -, mah, -].

1. a final, uncompromising demand or set of terms issued by a party to a dispute, the rejection of which may lead to a severance of relations or to the use of force.
2. a final proposal or statement of conditions.

ultimatum

/ ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm /

noun

1. a final communication by a party, esp a government, setting forth conditions on which it insists, as during negotiations on some topic
2. any final or peremptory demand, offer, or proposal

ultimatum

1. A formal message delivered from one government to another threatening war if the receiving government fails to comply with conditions set forth in the message. For example, after the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914, the government of Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia, which Austria held responsible for the assassination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from New Latin, noun use of neuter of Late Latin ultimātus “ended, finished,” past participle of ultimāre “to come to an end”; ultimate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimatum¹

C18: from New Latin, neuter of ultimatus ultimate

Example Sentences

On Wednesday morning, he posted the ultimatum on X.

From BBC

Last month, in a strongly worded letter, the US secretary of state gave Israel an ultimatum of 30 days to ensure more aid trucks reached Gaza daily.

From BBC

This prompted the US to issue an ultimatum to Israel to increase aid by 12 November or risk losing some military support.

From BBC

The network gave Rivers an ultimatum — either Edgar goes as a producer or the show is canceled.

From Los Angeles Times

JT issued an ultimatum, "If you're not interested in meeting up, then I'm not interested in talking to you anymore because this is insane."

From Salon

Related Words

• warning