Referendum: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Referendum noun. A vote in which the whole electorate decides a single question directly.
How to say it
ref-uh-REN-dum/ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm/
4 syllables, stressed on the third (REN). Forms: referendums, referenda.
Referendum in a sentence
The island held a referendum on whether to build a bridge to the mainland.
Turnout for the referendum was higher than for any general election in decades.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- plebiscite
- ballot
- popular vote
Where referendum comes from
From Latin referendum, something to be referred, from referre, to carry back.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Turnout for the _____ was higher than for any general election in decades.
- constituency
- Stakhanovite
- referendum
Show the answer
referendum: Turnout for the referendum was higher than for any general election in decades.