veto
Americannoun
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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.
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the exercise of this right.
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Also called veto message. a document exercising such right and setting forth the reasons for such action.
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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.
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an emphatic prohibition of any sort.
verb (used with object)
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to reject (a proposed bill or enactment) by exercising a veto.
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to prohibit emphatically.
noun
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the power to prevent legislation or action proposed by others; prohibition
the presidential veto
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the exercise of this power
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Also called: veto message. government a document containing the reasons why a chief executive has vetoed a measure
verb
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to refuse consent to (a proposal, esp a government bill)
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to prohibit, ban, or forbid
her parents vetoed her trip
Usage
What does veto mean? A veto is the right of one branch of government to reject or prohibit a decision of another branch. It’s also called veto power. The most well-known type of veto is the ability of the President of the United States to veto legislation that passes both houses of Congress. When a president vetoes legislation, the legislation goes back to Congress, which can override the veto, rewrite the legislation so that the president signs it, or abandon the legislation. A veto is also an instance of this right, as in The president’s veto of the new law was unexpected and shocked Congress. A veto is also the document that spells out a veto and the reasons for it. This document is also called a veto message. Within the United Nations, a veto is a vote by one of the permanent members of the Security Council that differs from the other members’ votes. For example, if four of the five votes is a yay vote, the veto is a nay vote. Outside of politics, a veto is a strong rejection of any sort. For example, you might propose that your family get a dog. If your parents put a veto on your proposal, they reject the idea of getting a dog. To veto is to reject a decision by exercising veto power, as in Maya’s grandmother vetoed the idea of sharing family recipes on social media. Example: Although the president vetoed the bill, there were enough votes in Congress to pass it anyway.
Discover More
Originally intended to prevent Congress from passing unconstitutional laws, the veto is now used by the president as a powerful bargaining tool, especially when his objectives conflict with majority sentiment in Congress. (See also checks and balances.)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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vetosimple
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vetoessimple
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have vetoedperfect
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has vetoedperfect
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am vetoingprogressive
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are vetoingprogressive
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is vetoingprogressive
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have been vetoingperfect progressive
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has been vetoingperfect progressive
Past
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vetoedsimple
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had vetoedperfect
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was vetoingprogressive
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were vetoingprogressive
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had been vetoingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of veto
First recorded in 1620–30, veto is from the Latin word vetō I forbid
Explanation
A veto is a no vote that blocks a decision. The President can veto some bills that pass his desk. A veto is a very official way of saying "No!" Vetoes block or forbid something, and the word is also used more loosely. The President of the United States can veto Senators who oppose his ideas, but if he tries to veto his daughter from joining the swim team, he might encounter his fiercest opponent yet. If you strongly disagree with your friends' choice of a movie, you could say, "I have to veto that." Vetoes vote no.
Vocabulary lists containing veto
U.S. Government Lingo
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Civics I
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Ancient Rome - Introductory
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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.
See Examples For:
"There is a sense that the candidates are treading carefully to avoid offending the US and other veto powers."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
The network’s legal department now clearly wields a veto over its newsroom and primetime opinion stars.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
A golden share would give the government veto power over decisions.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Unified to detail specifically how it will carry out the future cuts; otherwise the county superintendent will appoint a trustee with authority to veto spending decisions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
When Secretary of War Robert Patterson invited Ernest to Washington to give his views on successor bills to May-Johnson, Neylan issued a strong veto even though Ernest seemed honored to be asked.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
On the diplomatic front, the UN Security Council is set to vote Tuesday on a watered-down resolution addressing Iran's threats to the strait, diplomatic sources told AFP, after more robust earlier drafts faced potential vetoes.
From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026
“Reforms such as harmonizing VAT rules or establishing a common consolidated corporate tax base remain stuck because of national vetoes, leaving firms to navigate a maze of fragmented tax regimes,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
Several key vetoes he has tried to make have already been overturned by Congress, where he doesn't have a majority.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2025
We try one more look, but she vetoes it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025
After Coin vetoes a dinner, entertainment, and alcohol, Plutarch yells, “What’s the point of the propo if no one’s having any fun!”
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Constitution, a bill becomes law about 10 days after it has been presented to the president, even without a signature, as long as it is not vetoed.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026
In 1832, President Andrew Jackson vetoed a reauthorization of the Second Bank’s charter, declaring it an unconstitutional monopoly favoring the few over the many.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Even if the president vetoed the bill, “Congress has enough votes to override,” Kim wrote, citing Evercore strategist Matt Aks.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
Four months ago, Polis’ office acknowledged as much, noting how two major disaster relief requests were denied and a bill that would have allowed the state to complete a clean water pipeline project was vetoed.
From Slate ● May 21, 2026
They considered it dangerous and vetoed my meeting.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Even Grover Cleveland, though not always celebrated for moral inspiration, insisted on personal integrity in public office, vetoing legislation he believed violated constitutional principles despite considerable political cost.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
While vetoing the bill, Walz announced he was commissioning a study of the drivers’ working conditions.
From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2024
It has stopped vetoing condemnatory resolutions at the United Nations.
From BBC ● May 8, 2024
Gov. Pete Wilson enjoyed vetoing a bill that called for a state study of how best to dispose of discarded fluorescent light tubes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2023
The bishop and synodal board have the right of vetoing doubtful decrees of synod.
From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.
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.
