checks and balances

noun

plural in form but sometimes singular in construction
: a system that allows each branch of a government to amend, override, or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power or power beyond its authority
Things that for many decades were givens—the checks and balances on the executive, the role of the judiciary or the civil service, a media free from interference or vilification—now appear vulnerable.Emily Maitlis
"I do think that there is an expectation in our country that checks and balances is a good thing," [Senator John] Thune said …Stephen Groves
broadly : a system in which power and control is distributed and counterbalanced (as to prevent unethical or harmful actions)
Founders [of startup businesses] benefit from checks and balances. … It makes the company more trustworthy, easier to finance, and less likely to implode. For those same reasons, checks and balances help employees. Noam Wasserman

Examples of checks and balances in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The goal is mass deregulation — a weakening of checks and balances and a major cut to basic government services, all in the name of concentrating power among a small group of plutocrats. Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024 That’s due in part to our careful checks and balances that ensure correct and fair tallies, including routine audits. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 Experts believe Trump can get much further on upending the government system this go-around compared to his first term -- in part because the typical checks and balances are expected to lean in his favor. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024 The Electoral College was designed as part of the wider system of checks and balances, vesting power in individual states to conduct their own elections and send their votes to Washington rather than having elections held at the federal level. Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for checks and balances 

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of checks and balances was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near checks and balances

Cite this Entry

“Checks and balances.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checks%20and%20balances. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

checks and balances

plural noun
: 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 having too much power

Legal Definition

checks and balances

noun plural
checks and bal·​anc·​es
-ˈba-lən-səz
: 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

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