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Referendum: meaning, definitions and examples

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referendum

 

[ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

political

A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Synonyms

plebiscite, poll, vote.

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Word Description / Examples
referendum

A referendum is typically a formal, official vote by the entire electorate on a specific proposal or issue, often with significant legal or political consequences.

  • The government announced a referendum to decide on the new constitutional amendments
  • The citizens will participate in a referendum to determine the future of the national healthcare system
plebiscite

Plebiscite is an official public vote on a question that does not usually have legal force, often more for gauging public opinion or legitimizing a government move.

  • The newly formed government decided to hold a plebiscite to seek approval from the public on the unification proposal
  • A plebiscite was conducted to understand the population's stance on introducing new nationwide reforms
poll

A poll is an informal method of gauging public opinion, often conducted by organizations or media outlets to measure views on various issues or predict election outcomes.

  • The latest poll shows that the majority of citizens support the new economic policies
  • According to the recent poll, the candidate is leading by a significant margin
vote

To vote means to cast a formal indication of choice on a matter, typically during elections or official decisions in different contexts like clubs, organizations, or general elections.

  • Every citizen over 18 is eligible to vote in the national elections
  • The club members will vote on the new president next week

Examples of usage

  • The government held a referendum on the issue of EU membership.
  • The referendum showed a clear majority in favor of the new law.
Context #2 | Noun

history

A referendum is a process of voting, especially in order to make a decision about something.

Synonyms

ballot, election, survey.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
referendum

Occasions when the government or an authority seeks to directly ask the public to vote on a specific issue or policy.

  • The government is holding a referendum on independence.
  • The results of the referendum will determine the new policy.
ballot

Used during elections to refer to the physical or electronic tool that voters use to make their choices.

  • Please make sure to fill out your ballot correctly.
  • The ballot is secret to ensure privacy.
election

Events where public representatives, such as politicians, are chosen through voting.

  • The next presidential election is in November.
  • Elections are held every four years.
survey

Used to gather information or opinions from a group of people on various topics, often not related to voting or official decisions.

  • We are conducting a survey on customer satisfaction.
  • The survey results showed a preference for online shopping.

Examples of usage

  • The union's leaders agreed to hold a referendum on the issue.
  • The country's independence was achieved through a referendum.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from Latin, where 'referendum' means 'to be referred,' reflecting the idea of asking the public's view.
  • The word started being used in the context of popular voting in the 19th century, showing a shift towards direct democracy.

Political Significance

  • Referendums are often used to settle important national issues, such as independence, constitutional amendments, or major policy changes.
  • Some countries, like Switzerland, hold referendums regularly, allowing citizens to influence legislation directly.

Historical Examples

  • One of the first recorded modern referendums occurred in 1792 in the United States regarding the constitutionality of the proposed changes.
  • The 2016 Brexit referendum in the UK was a pivotal moment, allowing citizens to vote on leaving the European Union.

Cultural Perspectives

  • While referendums are seen as a form of direct democracy, they can also lead to deep divisions among the population, as seen in various national contexts.
  • The use and significance of referendums can vary greatly across cultures; in some places, they are routine, while in others, they are rare.

Myth and Misconception

  • Many people confuse referendums with plebiscites, but the former often addresses legal or constitutional issues, while the latter usually seeks approval for a policy.
  • Another common misunderstanding is that a referendum guarantees the outcome leads to immediate change, but the results often require further legislative action.

Translations

Translations of the word "referendum" in other languages:

🇵🇹 referendo

🇮🇳 जनमत संग्रह

🇩🇪 Referendum

🇮🇩 referendum

🇺🇦 референдум

🇵🇱 referendum

🇯🇵 国民投票

🇫🇷 référendum

🇪🇸 referéndum

🇹🇷 referandum

🇰🇷 국민투표

🇸🇦 استفتاء

🇨🇿 referendum

🇸🇰 referendum

🇨🇳 公投

🇸🇮 referendum

🇮🇸 þjóðaratkvæðagreiðsla

🇰🇿 референдум

🇬🇪 რეფერენდუმი

🇦🇿 referendum

🇲🇽 referéndum

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,985 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.