PoliticsAugust 17, 2026

referendum

ref-uh-REN-dum

Definition

A general vote by the electorate or a specific group of members on a single political question or policy proposal.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin gerundive 'referendum,' meaning 'that which must be brought back' or 'referred,' referencing the practice of referring a matter to the people for a final decision.

In the news

The DAP held a referendum during its national conference to let its delegates formally decide whether the party should remain in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

Malaysia’s DAP votes to stay in government, easing pressure on PM Anwar after state polls setbacks

Read the full article ↗

Asia News Network

Related words

annexed

To have added a territory or region to one's own country by force or without the consent…

Politics

austerity

Policies characterized by strict economic measures, such as budget cuts and tax…

Politics

crosstabs

A table format used to display the relationship between two or more categorical…

Politics

disintegration

The process of falling apart, breaking down, or the loss of structural integrity and…

Politics

districtwide

Covering or involving the entire area of a specific administrative or political district…

Politics

dossier

A collection of documents or a file containing detailed information about a particular…

Politics

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.