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DictionaryultimatumFinal demand
noun

ultimatum

ul-tih-MAY-tum/ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/

A final demand backed by threatened consequences if refused.

The landlord gives us an ultimatum: pay today or move out.

A landlord presents a final overdue-payment demand to a tenant, with a calendar deadline and a two-way pictorial choice between paid receipt and termination key return; no threats of violence, no legal wording.
Etymology
ultimatumLatinfinal statement

A Latin 'final statement' became the last proposal offered in a negotiation. Its finality marks the point beyond which the speaker will not negotiate, giving the demand its consequential force.

In context

The Full History Documentary83:31
The envoy brought the Sultan's absolute ultimatum to Emperor Constantine XI 11th, surrender the city immediately
Fall of Constantinople Full History Documentary: How the Ottoman Empire Destroyed Byzantium

More examples

  • Her ultimatum is clear: stop lying or our friendship ends.
  • The union issued an ultimatum demanding higher wages to avoid a strike.
  • He resents ultimatums and refuses to negotiate under threat.

Forms

ultimatum · ultimatums · ultimata

Similar words

demand
An insistence that need not be final or threaten consequences.
warning
Signals possible harm without necessarily demanding a particular action.