ways and means

plural noun

1. legislation, methods, and means of raising revenue for the use of the government.
2. methods and means of accomplishing or paying for something.

ways and means

plural noun

1. the revenues and methods of raising the revenues needed for the functioning of a state or other political unit
2. usually capital a standing committee of the US House of Representatives that supervises all financial legislation
3. the methods and resources for accomplishing some purpose

Word History and Origins

Origin of ways and means¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

I'm going to be chairman, speaker, program, and ways-and-means committee of this meeting.

From Project Gutenberg

She simply sat and looked at poor Kate like the chairman of a ways-and-means committee who is waiting to hear all the reports.

From Project Gutenberg