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filibuster
[ fil-uh-buhs-ter ]
/ ˈfɪl əˌbʌs tər /
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noun
U.S. Politics.
- 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.
- an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.
- a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.
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)
U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.
to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes.
verb (used with object)
U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.
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Origin of filibuster
OTHER WORDS FROM filibuster
fil·i·bus·ter·er, nounfil·i·bus·ter·ism, nounfil·i·bus·ter·ous, adjectivean·ti·fil·i·bus·ter, noun, adjectiveWords nearby filibuster
filial generation, filial piety, filiate, filiation, filibeg, filibuster, filicide, filiform, filiform bougie, filiform papilla, filigrain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use filibuster in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for filibuster
filibuster
/ (ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə) /
noun
the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics
Also called: filibusterer a legislator who engages in such obstruction
a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country
verb
to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics
(intr) to engage in unlawful and private military action
Derived forms of filibuster
filibusterer, nounfilibusterism, nounWord Origin for filibuster
C16: from Spanish filibustero, from French flibustier probably from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate, literally: one plundering freely; see freebooter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for filibuster
filibuster
[ (fil-uh-bus-tuhr) ]
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.