来自拉丁语 referendum,参考对象，来自 referre,拿回，参考，词源同 refer.-end,动名词后缀， -um,中性格。后引申词义全民公决。

1. Estonia said it too planned to hold a referendum on independence.

爱沙尼亚称其也计划就独立问题进行全民公决。

2. President Kaunda fulfilled his promise of announcing a date for the referendum.

卡翁达总统兑现了他的承诺，宣布了全民公决的日期。

3. A referendum showed beyond doubt that voters wanted independence.

全民公决无疑显示选民支持独立。

4. Parliament has bowed to the demand for a referendum next year.

议会在人们的要求下已同意在明年举行全民公投。

5. A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.

明年的全民公决将和竞选活动同时进行，届时局势会十分紧张。