veto
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.
to reject (a proposed bill or enactment) by exercising a veto.
to prohibit emphatically.
Origin of veto
1Other words from veto
- ve·to·er, noun
- pre·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. 2024
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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTUnder the Constitution, of course, there is no line-item veto; a president either signs or vetoes an entire bill.
Last, what to do in light of the Security Council vetoes of China and, particularly, Russia?
“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 | THE DAILY BEAST
They desired the freedoms of democracy, but also all the vetoes of democracy.
Orthodoxy | G. K. ChestertonWat if a corrupt and radikle Congress does override your vetoes, and legislate for these cuss-ridden people?
Swingin Round the Cirkle. | Petroleum V. NasbyThe book would be simply a string of violent vetoes, like the Ten Commandments.
A Miscellany of Men | G. K. ChestertonI wish I could return your compliments, but my conscience vetoes any such proceeding.
Macaria | Augusta Jane Evans WilsonBut 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
/ (ˈviːtəʊ) /
the power to prevent legislation or action proposed by others; prohibition: the 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
to refuse consent to (a proposal, esp a government bill)
to prohibit, ban, or forbid: her parents vetoed her trip
Origin of veto
1Derived forms of veto
- vetoer, noun
- vetoless, adjective
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)
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.
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
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.
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