filibuster

noun fil·i·bus·ter \ ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: filibuster in a Sentence

Definition of filibuster

1 : an irregular military adventurer; specifically : an American engaged in fomenting insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century

[²filibuster]

a : the use of extreme dilatory (see dilatory 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.

See filibuster defined for English-language learners

See filibuster defined for kids

Examples of filibuster in a Sentence

They engaged in a filibuster that lasted for over a week.

Recent Examples of filibuster from the Web

Conservatives were delighted by Trump’s pick, and Senate Republicans quickly confirmed him by changing the body’s long-standing rules requiring 60 votes to break a filibuster for Supreme Court nominations.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Trump’s trophy case," 15 June 2018
The measure faces long odds in the Senate despite being immune to a Democratic filibuster.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Just a reminder: A republic, not a democracy," 7 June 2018
Moreover, easing sanctions on North Korea would likely require congressional approval to change federal law, which would require the support of 60 senators to overcome any filibuster attempt in addition to approval in the majority-rules House.

— elizabeth landers and manu raju, CNN, "GOP senators: Trump promises Congress a vote on any North Korea deal," 5 June 2018
Never forget that during a quasi-filibuster (because Senate rules mandate how much time senators can spend yapping), Cruz once infamously read Dr. Suess’ Green Eggs and Ham on the Senate floor.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "How Sen. Ted Cruz Cursed the Houston Rockets and Kept Them Out of the NBA Finals," 29 May 2018
Resolutions can dodge a filibuster and pass with a simple majority.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "A Phony Vote on ‘Net Neutrality’," 15 May 2018
The clock is among the biggest factors in the waning days of the session as opponents could launch filibusters on a variety of issues to not only kill the bill under consideration but also derail others as time runs out at midnight Wednesday.

— christopher keating, courant.com, "Time Running Out For Bills On Casinos, Crumbling Foundations, Bump Stocks As Legislative Session Winds Down," 7 May 2018
That meant Congress could approve or reject any trade agreement negotiated by the president, but could not amend one or stop it through a Senate filibuster.

— maureen groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Senate race: Here's what's true and what's not in the nation's nastiest primary," 4 May 2018
Democrats, though, launched a filibuster and refused to yield the floor.

— chris morris, Fortune, "South Carolina Almost Banned Abortions During a Senate Vote Last Night," 4 May 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of filibuster

Spanish filibustero, literally, freebooter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1851

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

filibuster

verb

Definition of filibuster

filibustered; filibustering play \ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-st(ə-)riŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to carry out insurrectionist activities in a foreign country

2 : to engage in a filibuster

transitive verb

: to subject to a filibuster

—

filibusterer

play \ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər-ər\ noun

Recent Examples of filibuster from the Web

Paul, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has spoken out against Haspel's candidacy in the past, even vowing to filibuster her nomination.

— jennifer hansler, CNN, "Rand Paul says Haspel's lack of candor is disqualifying," 11 May 2018
But actually getting the bill passed looks to be an uphill battle: Democrats have promised to filibuster in order to put off the final vote, and ending a filibuster would require a supermajority vote, which is hard to reach.

— refinery29.com, "The South Carolina Senate Voted To Outlaw Almost All Abortions," 3 May 2018
Signatures from 30 senators require the Senate to hold a vote that can't be filibustered or blocked by the majority leader.

— jim puzzanghera, latimes.com, "Senate Democrats believe net neutrality is a political winner as they try to reinstate regulations," 9 May 2018
Trump's inflammatory remarks upended sensitive immigration talks on Capitol Hill, and the Senate plan was ultimately filibustered during a series of votes in February.

— chicagotribune.com, "U.S. embassy cables warned against expelling 300,000 immigrants. Trump officials did it anyway.," 8 May 2018
Trump’s inflammatory remarks upended sensitive immigration talks on Capitol Hill, and the Senate plan was ultimately filibustered during a series of votes in February.

— nick miroff, Washington Post, "U.S. embassy cables warned against expelling 300,000 immigrants. Trump officials did it anyway.," 8 May 2018
On Wednesday night, the Senate voted 28-10 to pass the ban, but the Democrats promised to filibuster the final vote.

— refinery29.com, "South Carolina Democrats Block Restrictive Abortion Ban," 7 May 2018
But even if the Warren wing tried to filibuster, the GOP majority — with the support of Democrats — had more than the 60 votes needed to overcome a blockade.

— Washington Post, "Banking bill brings out Schumer’s messy midterm strategy," 15 Mar. 2018
Is a land-use system where, no matter the community support, anything can be filibustered really good government?

— fenit nirappil, Washington Post, "Dry D.C. planning document fuels heated debate over future of expensive city," 20 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of filibuster

see ¹filibuster

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1851

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

FILIBUSTER Defined for English Language Learners

filibuster

noun

Definition of filibuster for English Language Learners

: 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

Law Dictionary

filibuster

noun fil·i·bus·ter \ ˈfi-lə-ˌbəs-tər \

legal Definition of filibuster

: 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