ul ‧ ti ‧ ma ‧ tum /ˌʌltəˈmeɪtəm, ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/ BrE AmE noun ( plural ultimatums or ultimata /-tə/) [countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: Modern Latin ; Origin: Late Latin ultimatus ; ⇨ ↑ ultimate 1 ]
a threat saying that if someone does not do what you want by a particular time, you will do something to punish them:
The club gave him an ultimatum - either he apologized, or he would be expelled from the team.
The army issued an ultimatum for all weapons in the city to be surrendered by October 26th.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ give somebody an ultimatum
My boss gave me an ultimatum: get better results or find another job.
▪ issue/deliver an ultimatum (=officially give someone an ultimatum)
The authorities issued an ultimatum to the students to end their protest or face arrest.
▪ present somebody with an ultimatum
Iraq was presented with an ultimatum by the UN to cease the invasion of Kuwait.
▪ receive an ultimatum
We received an ultimatum from the army demanding our surrender.
■ phrases
▪ the terms of an ultimatum
The terms of the ultimatum required them to withdraw by noon.