Definition of "referendum" []

• The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote. (noun)
• Such a vote. (noun)
• A note from a diplomat to the diplomat's government requesting instructions. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He says the referendum is a chance to return Niger to normal constitutional life."
• "Professor Alou says this referendum is about more than the next president."
• "Mr. Li said the referendum is their internal affair and we are not getting into it."