filibuster

American  

[fil-uh-buhs-ter] / ˈfɪl əˌbʌs tər /

noun

1. U.S. Politics.

   1. the use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority.

   2. an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.

   3. a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.

2. an irregular military adventurer, especially one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.

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verb (used without object)

filibusters, present (3rd person singular) filibustered, past participle, past filibustering present participle

1. U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

2. to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes.

verb (used with object)

filibusters, present (3rd person singular) filibustered, past participle, past filibustering present participle

1. U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

filibuster British  

/ ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə /

noun

1. the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics

2. Also called: filibusterer.  a legislator who engages in such obstruction

3. a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country

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verb

1. to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics

2. (intr) to engage in unlawful and private military action

filibuster Cultural  

1. A strategy employed in the United States Senate, whereby a minority can delay a vote on proposed legislation by making long speeches or introducing irrelevant issues. A successful filibuster can force withdrawal of a bill. Filibusters can be ended only by cloture.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• filibusterous
  adjective
• filibusterer
  noun
• filibusterism
  noun
• antifilibuster
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have filibustered
  perfect
• has filibustered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been filibustering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are filibustering
  progressive
• am filibustering
  progressive 1st person singular
• is filibustering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• filibusters
  singular 3rd person
• have been filibustering
  perfect progressive
• filibustering
  participle

Past

• had filibustered
  perfect
• were filibustering
  progressive plural
• had been filibustering
  perfect progressive
• was filibustering
  progressive singular
• filibustered
  simple
• filibustered
  participle

Future

• will filibuster
  simple
• will have filibustered
  perfect
• will have been filibustering
  perfect progressive
• will be filibustering
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of filibuster

First recorded in 1580–90; from Spanish filibustero, from Middle French flibustier, variant of fribustier; see freebooter

Explanation

As a verb, filibuster means "to obstruct legislation by talking at great length." As a noun, it can refer to that oppositional speech. "The Senator prevented a vote on the bill by reading the dictionary from aardvark to zyzzyva." As a parliamentary tactic, the filibuster dates back to at least the first century B.C.E. The rules of the Roman Senate required that all business must be completed by nightfall, and, on more than one occasion, the senator Cato the Younger spoke until dark to delay a vote. In the Parliament of the United Kingdom, a minister may "talk out" a bill, but his speech must pertain to the bill. In the United States, by contrast, a Senator may forestall action on a bill by speaking on any topic.

Example Sentences

"Better match, and western Europe would be so well protected by the League of the Royal Filibuster."

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Appeared in the March 11, 2026, print edition as 'The Talking Filibuster Is a Mirage'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

In response to this violence, I went to the Senate last month and spoke during 24-7: The People’s Filibuster for Gun Safety.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2022

Filibuster, in the singular, is a misleading term.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2010

Fred and George rounded off the evening with a display of Filibuster fireworks; they filled the kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from ceiling to wall for at least half an hour.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• delaying tactic
• obstruction
• procrastination