ultimatum
[ uhl-tuh-mey-tuh m, -mah- ]
/ ˌʌl təˈmeɪ təm, -ˈmɑ- /
noun, plural ul·ti·ma·tums, ul·ti·ma·ta [uhl-tuh-mey-tuh, -mah-] /ˌʌl təˈmeɪ tə, -ˈmɑ-/.
a final, uncompromising demand or set of terms issued by a party to a dispute, the rejection of which may lead to a severance of relations or to the use of force.
a final proposal or statement of conditions.
Origin of ultimatum
1725–35; < New Latin, noun use of neuter of Late Latin
ultimātus. See
ultimate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ultimatum
ultimate ultimatumWords nearby ultimatum
ultimacy,
ultimate,
ultimate constituent,
ultimate strength,
ultimately,
ultimatum,
ultimo,
ultimogeniture,
ultisol,
ulto.,
ultra
Example sentences from the Web for ultimatum
British Dictionary definitions for ultimatum
ultimatum
/ (ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm) /
noun plural -tums or -ta (-tə)
a final communication by a party, esp a government, setting forth conditions on which it insists, as during negotiations on some topic
any final or peremptory demand, offer, or proposal
Word Origin for ultimatum
C18: from New Latin, neuter of
ultimatus
ultimate
Cultural definitions for ultimatum
ultimatum
[ (ul-tuh-may-tuhm) ]
A formal message delivered from one government to another threatening war if the receiving government fails to comply with conditions set forth in the message. For example, after the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand in 1914, the government of Austria sent an ultimatum to Serbia, which Austria held responsible for the assassination.