1. The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute for a direct vote by the people: On many government issues, the elected representatives will negotiate and submit a law; however, sometimes there's a referendum when the issue is put directly to the people for a final approval or vote by the officially qualified voters.
2. Etymology: from Latin referendum, "that which must be referred"; literally, "thing brought back"; from referre. "to bring" or "to take back".