veto
- the power or right vested in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch, especially the right of a president, governor, or other chief executive to reject bills passed by the legislature.
- the exercise of this right.
- Also called veto message. a document exercising such right and setting forth the reasons for such action.
- a nonconcurring vote by which one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council can overrule the actions or decisions of the meeting on matters other than procedural.
- an emphatic prohibition of any sort.
- pocket veto.
- to reject (a proposed bill or enactment) by exercising a veto.
- to prohibit emphatically.
Origin of veto
Examples from the Web for vetoes
Contemporary Examples
Many Syrians see the vetoes used to block a robust resolution as an excuse for inaction.
After 3 Years of Brutal War Syria is Still Burning, but the World’s Attention Seems to Have Moved On.Abdulhamid Qabbani
March 25, 2014
But if he vetoes it, he will likely lose the support of many Hispanic voters—the people he needs to win the general election.
Christie’s Immigration Catch-22: Help Immigrants or Win GOP PrimariesDean Obeidallah
November 19, 2013
Under the Constitution, of course, there is no line-item veto; a president either signs or vetoes an entire bill.
Last, what to do in light of the Security Council vetoes of China and, particularly, Russia?
“Truman and Clinton had vetoes to prove where they stood,” says Popkin.
Historical Examples
In July, 1856, he said that he had for eleven years maintained the vetoes of Mr. Polk.
Robert ToombsPleasant A. Stovall
The King 'vetoes' the war; then let us hear what the People say!
Temporal PowerMarie Corelli
Lincoln was in his grave, and Johnson, even with his vetoes, was powerless.
The Abolition Crusade and Its ConsequencesHilary Abner Herbert
Meanwhile, the President was making a unique record by his vetoes.
The Cleveland EraHenry Jones Ford
They desired the freedoms of democracy, but also all the vetoes of democracy.
OrthodoxyG. K. Chesterton
veto
- the power to prevent legislation or action proposed by others; prohibitionthe presidential veto
- the exercise of this power
- Also called: veto message US government a document containing the reasons why a chief executive has vetoed a measure
- to refuse consent to (a proposal, esp a government bill)
- to prohibit, ban, or forbidher parents vetoed her trip
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for vetoes
veto
v.
1706, from veto (n.). Related: Vetoed; vetoing.
veto
n.
1620s, from Latin veto, literally "I forbid," first person singular present indicative of vetare "forbid," of unknown origin. Used by Roman tribunes who opposed measures of the Senate or magistrates.
veto
A vote that blocks a decision. In the United Nations, for example, each of the five permanent members of the Security Council has the power of veto.
veto
The power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign it into law. The president or governor actually writes the word veto (Latin for “I forbid”) on the bill and sends it back to the legislature with a statement of his or her objections. The legislature may choose to comply by withdrawing or revising the bill, or it can override the veto and pass the law, by a two-thirds vote in each house.