fil·i·bus·ter
| \ ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər
\
\
Definition of filibuster
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an irregular military adventurer
specifically
: an American engaged in fomenting insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century
2
[filibuster entry 2]
a
: the use of extreme dilatory (see dilatory sense 1) tactics (as by making long speeches) in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly
b
: an instance of this practice
The filibuster delayed the voting on the bill for over a week.
filibuster
verb
filibustered; filibustering\
ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-st(ə-)riŋ
\
\
Definition of filibuster (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to carry out insurrectionist activities in a foreign country
2
: to engage in a filibuster
: to subject to a filibuster
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Other Words from filibuster
Verb
filibusterer
\
ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər-ər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of filibuster in a Sentence
Noun
They engaged in a filibuster that lasted for over a week.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Ending the filibuster would effectively allow bills to be passed with a simple majority, instead of the 60 needed with it in place.
—
Briana Stewart, ABC News, 22 July 2021
However, at least two Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, have expressed public opposition to ending the filibuster.
—
Grace Segers, CBS News, 17 July 2021
Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said there is no path to voting rights that does not require modifying or ending the filibuster.
—
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 13 July 2021
Senator Ed Markey used the ruling to reiterate his call for ending the filibuster and to advocate for expanding the size of the Supreme Court.
—
Greg Stohr, Fortune, 1 July 2021
But Democratic centrists, most prominently Mr. Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, have rejected ending the filibuster, though some have suggested ways to weaken it.
—
Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 22 June 2021
Given that the bill had already passed the US House, and Manchin and Sinema have been outspoken in their opposition to ending the filibuster, the attention on the pair is warranted.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2021
House rules allow for ending a filibuster if there are enough votes for cloture, a petition to end debate and force a vote.
—
Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 5 May 2021
Candidate Biden rejected progressive positions like the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, packing the Supreme Court, and ending the filibuster as too extreme.
—
Bobby Jindal, National Review, 5 May 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Biden has been cool to filibuster changes, and as many as 10 Democratic senators have quietly expressed reservations, though their numbers appear to be diminishing as frustration mounts over Republican obstruction.
—
Lisa Mascaro, ajc, 24 June 2021
After months of talk, the independent commission to investigate the events surrounding January 6 is now on life support, likely to fail in the US Senate as soon as next week when Republicans are expected to filibuster the legislation.
—
Ryan Nobles, CNN, 21 May 2021
In other words, senators could still filibuster all other types of legislation.
—
Chad Pergram, Fox News, 15 July 2021
Some also want to require opponents of legislation to filibuster the old-fashioned way, standing and speaking on the Senate floor.
—
Lisa Mascaro, Star Tribune, 23 June 2021
The pledge from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., all but guarantees that Republicans will filibuster a sweeping voting bill that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is sending to the floor Tuesday.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2021
The bill faces a steep challenge in the Senate, where Republicans will likely filibuster the package, meaning at least 10 Republican senators would have to vote with Democrats to vote on the matter.
—
Matthew Brown, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2021
In 1875, House Republicans even changed the chamber's rules to end the ability of the Democratic minority, in effect, to filibuster the final civil rights act of the first Reconstruction era.
—
Ronald Brownstein, CNN, 29 June 2021
Some also want to require opponents of legislation to filibuster the old-fashioned way, standing and speaking on the Senate floor.
—
Lisa Mascaro, ajc, 24 June 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'filibuster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
The Piratical History of 'Filibuster'
The Piratical History of 'Filibuster'
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The Words of the Week - 3/26/2021
The Words of the Week - 3/26/2021
Some of the words that defined the week ending March 26, 2021
9 Debate and Argument Words
9 Debate and Argument Words
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Last Updated
31 Jul 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Filibuster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filibuster. Accessed 5 Aug. 2021.
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More Definitions for filibuster
filibuster
noun
English Language Learners Definition of filibuster
chiefly US
: an effort to prevent action in a legislature (such as the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives) by making a long speech or series of speeches
See the full definition for filibuster in the English Language Learners Dictionary
filibuster
noun
fil·i·bus·ter
| \ ˈfi-lə-ˌbəs-tər
\
\
Legal Definition of filibuster
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the use of extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly
also
: an instance of this practice
filibuster
verb
filibustered; filibustering
Legal Definition of filibuster (Entry 2 of 2)
: to engage in a filibuster
: to subject to a filibuster
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Time Traveler for filibuster
The first known use of filibuster was in 1851
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