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.

---

verb (used without object)

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)

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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of filibuster

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

Example Sentences

Perhaps the most famous, and certainly the most romanticized, version of a filibuster took place in the film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”

From Los Angeles Times

There was even a type of speech called the filibuster, whose sole purpose was to waste time.

From Literature

And throughout the decades before the Civil War, there were numerous “filibusters”: expeditions by private, freebooting U.S. citizens to take over portions of Central America, Mexico, Cuba and even Canada.

From Salon

Understand this about Clark: He can filibuster a yes or no question into a 45-second monologue without actually answering yes or no.

From Los Angeles Times

A highly caffeinated New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, of 25-hour filibuster fame, summoned past glories and urged Democrats to find their way back to the party’s grounding principles, then fight from there.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delaying tactic
• obstruction
• procrastination