veto

[ vee-toh ]

/ ˈvi toʊ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: veto / vetoed on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ve·toes.Also called veto power (for defs. 1, 4).

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.

the exercise of this right.

Also called veto message. a document exercising such right and setting forth the reasons for such action.

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.

an emphatic prohibition of any sort.

pocket veto.

verb (used with object), ve·toed, ve·to·ing.

to reject (a proposed bill or enactment) by exercising a veto.

to prohibit emphatically.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of veto

First recorded in 1620–30, veto is from the Latin word vetō I forbid

OTHER WORDS FROM veto

ve·to·er, nounpre·ve·to, noun, plural pre·ve·toes, verb (used with object), pre·ve·toed, pre·ve·to·ing.re·ve·to, verb (used with object), re·ve·toed, re·ve·to·ing.un·ve·toed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use veto in a sentence

Many Syrians see the vetoes used to block a robust resolution as an excuse for inaction.
After 3 Years of Brutal War Syria is Still Burning, but the World’s Attention Seems to Have Moved On.|Abdulhamid Qabbani|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But if he vetoes it, he will likely lose the support of many Hispanic voters—the people he needs to win the general election.
Christie’s Immigration Catch-22: Help Immigrants or Win GOP Primaries|Dean Obeidallah|November 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Under the Constitution, of course, there is no line-item veto; a president either signs or vetoes an entire bill.
A Word on "Obamabot"-ism|Michael Tomasky|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Last, what to do in light of the Security Council vetoes of China and, particularly, Russia?
What To Do About Syria’s Crisis?|Bernard-Henri Lévy|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

“Truman and Clinton had vetoes to prove where they stood,” says Popkin.
Democrats Jittery Over Obama’s Sputtering 2012 Campaign|Eleanor Clift|June 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They desired the freedoms of democracy, but also all the vetoes of democracy.
Orthodoxy|G. K. Chesterton
Wat if a corrupt and radikle Congress does override your vetoes, and legislate for these cuss-ridden people?
Swingin Round the Cirkle.|Petroleum V. Nasby
The book would be simply a string of violent vetoes, like the Ten Commandments.
A Miscellany of Men|G. K. Chesterton
I wish I could return your compliments, but my conscience vetoes any such proceeding.
Macaria|Augusta Jane Evans Wilson
But if we examine the two vetoes we shall see that his is really much more of a pure veto than mine.
Orthodoxy|G. K. Chesterton

British Dictionary definitions for veto

veto

/ (ˈviːtəʊ) /

noun plural -toes

the power to prevent legislation or action proposed by others; prohibitionthe presidential veto

the exercise of this power

Also called: veto message US government a document containing the reasons why a chief executive has vetoed a measure

verb -toes, -toing or -toed (tr)

to refuse consent to (a proposal, esp a government bill)

to prohibit, ban, or forbidher parents vetoed her trip

Derived forms of veto

vetoer, nounvetoless, adjective

Word Origin for veto

C17: from Latin: I forbid, from vetāre to forbid

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 veto (1 of 2)

veto

A vote that blocks a decision. In the United Nations, for example, each of the five permanent members of the Security Council has the power of veto.

Cultural definitions for veto (2 of 2)

veto

The power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign it into law. The president or governor actually writes the word veto (Latin for “I forbid”) on the bill and sends it back to the legislature with a statement of his or her objections. The legislature may choose to comply by withdrawing or revising the bill, or it can override the veto and pass the law, by a two-thirds vote in each house.

notes for veto

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.)

veto

Origin of veto

OTHER WORDS FROM veto

Words related to veto

How to use veto in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for veto

Derived forms of veto

Word Origin for veto

Cultural definitions for veto (1 of 2)

Cultural definitions for veto (2 of 2)

notes for veto