as in vote
an event in which the electorate votes for or against a law that deals with a specific issue
They are having a referendum so the public can decide the controversial issue.
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Recent Examples of referendum
Every game can’t be a referendum on the Mikko Rantanen trade, a stunning move Friday night that shook everyone in the organization.
—
Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
Some residents are demanding a referendum first, though, concerned that Colchester taxpayers will be hurt if costs are higher than projected and revenue from the state falls short.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025
The captain on his winger While the entire league has been holding a referendum on Hutson, the spotlight in Montreal has been largely focused on Kirby Dach and Slafkovský.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Lavrov suggested a referendum might be held in Greenland, comparing that possibility to the fake referenda, held under duress, that Russia staged in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for referendum 
Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
Some residents are demanding a referendum first, though, concerned that Colchester taxpayers will be hurt if costs are higher than projected and revenue from the state falls short.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025
The captain on his winger While the entire league has been holding a referendum on Hutson, the spotlight in Montreal has been largely focused on Kirby Dach and Slafkovský.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Lavrov suggested a referendum might be held in Greenland, comparing that possibility to the fake referenda, held under duress, that Russia staged in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for referendum
Thesaurus Entries Near referendum
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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