- Referendum is the submission of a law to the direct vote of the people.
An example of a referendum is having citizens vote on suggested town curfew laws.
nounpl. referendums or referenda
- the submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct vote of the people, as in superseding or overruling the legislature
- the vote itself
- a note sent by a diplomatic agent to the agent's own government, asking for specific instructions
Origin of referendumModern Latin ; from Classical Latin a carrying back, gerund, gerundive or neuter gerund, gerundive of referre: see refer
nounpl. ref·er·en·dums or ref·er·en·da
- a. The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote.b. Such a vote.
- A note from a diplomat to the diplomat's government requesting instructions.
Origin of referendumLatin, neuter gerundive of referre, to refer; see refer.
(plural referenda or referendums)
From Latin referendum, from refero (“I announce").
referendum - Legal Definition
A passing of responsibility for a piece of legislation, a constitutional amendment or some other public issue to the public at large to vote upon; the vote in such an issue. See also initiative.