referendum
noun [ C ] uk/ˌref.əˈren.dəm/ us/ˌref.əˈren.dəm/ referendums or formal referenda /ˌref.əˈren.də/ /ˌref.əˈren.də/ (formal plebiscite)
C2 （就重大政治或社会问题进行的）全民公决，全民公投
a vote in which all the people in a country or an area are asked to give their opinion about or decide an important political or social question
Is it more democratic to hold a referendum, rather than let the government alone decide? 进行一次全民公决，而不是由政府自己作出决定，是不是要更民主些？
- More examples
- A nationwide referendum will be held to decide the issue.
- The opposition are demanding a referendum on the issue.
- A referendum was held on the question of whether the U.K. should remain a member of the European Community.
- The proposed referendum is consultative only and is not binding on Parliament.
- There has been much debate over the exact wording of the referendum.