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Referendum Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ
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referendum

[หŒrษ›fษ™หˆrษ›ndษ™m ]

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.

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'referendum'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The term 'referendum' originated from the Latin word 'referre', meaning 'to refer'. The concept of modern referendums can be traced back to the French Revolution. The first national referendum was held in Switzerland in 1848. Since then, referendums have become a common method of decision-making in many countries around the world.

See also: refer, referee, reference, referencer, referent, referrer.

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.