referendum
/ˌɹɛfəˈɹɛndəm/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: referenda · referendums
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A direct popular vote on a proposed law or constitutional amendment.
Noun
Examples
a referendum on …
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
An action, choice, etc., which is perceived as passing judgment on another matter.
Noun
Examples
My father is taking my decision on whether to go to university as a referendum on his performance as a parent, and it's very stressful.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “referendum” mean?
A direct popular vote on a proposed law or constitutional amendment.
Is “referendum” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.