nullification

American  

[nuhl-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌnʌl ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of nullifying.

2. the state of being nullified.

3. the failure or refusal of a U.S. state to aid in enforcement of federal laws within its limits, especially on Constitutional grounds.

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nullification Cultural  

1. The doctrine that states can set aside federal laws. Urged in the late 1820s by John C. Calhoun, nullification precipitated a crisis between Calhoun and President Andrew Jackson. The doctrine was foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Kentucky Resolutions. (See Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.)

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Other Word Forms

• nonnullification noun
• nullificationist noun
• nullificator noun
• renullification noun

Etymology

Origin of nullification

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin nūllificātiōn- (stem of nūllificātiō ) “contempt,” equivalent to nūllificāt(us) (past participle of nūllificāre “to despise, contemn”) + -iōn- -ion; nullify

Example Sentences

President Biden, though, has said he would not support the nullification — which would effectively keep the legislation in tact.

From Washington Post

The nullification — the latest in a string of actions against Disney by Mr. DeSantis and his allies — is likely to result in legal fireworks.

From New York Times

The board asked its lawyers to have nullification paperwork ready for next week’s meeting.

From New York Times

“For that reason, at trail, Fox should not be permitted to use inflammatory and legally erroneous First Amendment concepts in order to mislead the jury and urge jury nullification,” Dominion lawyers hilariously wrote.

From Washington Times

If federal charges are brought, Trump can't count on jury nullification.

From Salon

Related Words

• abolishment
• abrogation
• annulment
• revocation