Definition of checks and balances
: a system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power
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Recent Examples of checks and balances from the Web
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Only Putin’s failure to understand the checks and balances at the heart of the U.S. political system explains his apparent belief that Trump could override all objections to his would-be Russia reset.
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That was the problem — there may have been no checks and balances.
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The 40-year lease proposal includes assorted checks and balances.
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Board member Lisa Woods of Medina told House committee Wednesday that the board is needed as a check and balance.
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But others note the checks and balances that would remain even if SB 1046 becomes law should have kicked in.
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But in this vision, there is no room for checks and balances, or for dissent or protest, experts say.
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Trump’s infrastructure plan is yet another attempt to weaken our checks and balances, to sidestep protections for workers, and to cut out public input on decisions that will affect their air and water.
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It was criticized last year by state auditors as lacking fundamental checks and balances and quality control.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'checks and balances.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of checks and balances
1787
Other Government and Politics Terms
CHECKS AND BALANCES Defined for English Language Learners
checks and balances
Definition of checks and balances for English Language Learners
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: a system in which the different parts of an organization (such as a government) have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no part can become too powerful
Law Dictionary
checks and balances
legal Definition of checks and balances
: the powers (as judicial review, the presidential veto, and the congressional override) conferred on each of the three branches of government by which each restrains the others from exerting too much power — see also separation of powers
Learn More about checks and balances
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about checks and balances
Seen and Heard
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