/ref'euh ren"deuhm/ , n. , pl. referendums, referenda /-deuh/ .
1. the principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection. Cf. initiative (def. 4a).
2. a measure thus referred.
3. a vote on a such a measure.
[ 1840-50; referre to bring back; see REFER) ]