referendum
Meaning: A direct vote by the electorate on a specific political question or proposed change to the law, rather than a vote for an elected representative.
Referendums (or referenda) allow citizens to express their view on a particular issue directly. In the UK, referendums are not legally binding on Parliament due to parliamentary sovereignty, though they carry enormous political weight. The 2016 EU membership referendum is the most significant recent example. The plural can be either 'referendums' (standard English) or 'referenda' (Latin plural). Common collocations include 'hold a referendum,' 'referendum result,' and 'referendum campaign.'
Examples
- The 2016 referendum on EU membership resulted in a narrow vote to leave. 2016年的欧盟成员身份公投以微弱多数票决定脱欧。El referéndum de 2016 sobre la pertenencia a la UE dio como resultado una ajustada victoria a favor de la salida.2016年のEU加盟に関する国民投票は、僅差で離脱の票が上回った。2016년 EU 회원국 지위에 관한 국민투표는 근소한 차이로 탈퇴 쪽이 우세했다.
- Scotland held a referendum on independence in 2014, with fifty-five per cent voting to remain in the United Kingdom. 苏格兰于2014年举行了独立公投,百分之五十五的选民投票赞成留在联合王国。Escocia celebró un referéndum de independencia en 2014, en el que el cincuenta y cinco por ciento votó a favor de permanecer en el Reino Unido.スコットランドは2014年に独立に関する国民投票を実施し、55パーセントが英国に留まることに投票した。스코틀랜드는 2014년에 독립에 관한 국민투표를 실시했으며, 55퍼센트가 영국 잔류에 투표했다.
- Opposition parties called for a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes. 反对党呼吁就拟议的宪法改革举行全民公投。Los partidos de la oposición reclamaron un referéndum sobre las reformas constitucionales propuestas.野党各党は提案された憲法改正に関する国民投票の実施を求めた。야당들은 제안된 헌법 개정에 대한 국민투표 실시를 요구했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin referendum (that which is to be referred), the gerundive of referre (to carry back, refer). The political use originated in 19th-century Switzerland and entered English shortly after.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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