/ ˌrefəˈrendəm; NAmE / noun
( pl. ref·er·en·dums or ref·er·enda ) [ C , U ] referendum (on sth) an occasion when all the people of a country can vote on an important issue :
Ireland decided to hold a referendum on divorce.
The changes were approved by referendum.
➡ note at election
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from Latin , gerund ( referring ), or neuter gerundive ( something to be brought back or referred ) of referre carry back, from re- back + ferre bring.