ways and means
Americanplural noun
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legislation, methods, and means of raising revenue for the use of the government.
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methods and means of accomplishing or paying for something.
plural noun
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the revenues and methods of raising the revenues needed for the functioning of a state or other political unit
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(usually capital) a standing committee of the US House of Representatives that supervises all financial legislation
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the methods and resources for accomplishing some purpose
Etymology
Origin of ways and means
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The minister, Jack Chambers, said his budget provided the "ways and means for continuing to deliver many more, bright and hopeful days for us all."
From BBC • Oct. 5, 2024
“There are strong recommendations, and my focus will be on finding ways and means to engage with the Chinese authorities on implementing those recommendations.”
From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2022
“As always we had a frank, pragmatic and constructive exchange of views on ways and means of overcoming the last outstanding issues,” Ulyanov wrote on Twitter.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2022
“Africa is at a crossroads and we must find ways and means to stop this inflationary spiral.”
From Washington Post • Jun. 14, 2022
His face darkened: he would, he said, find ways and means.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
