line-item veto

noun

: the power of a government executive to veto specific items in an appropriations bill without vetoing the bill altogether

Examples of line-item veto 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 Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional the line-item veto in 1998, by which former President Bill Clinton unilaterally refused to spend money appropriated for particular purposes. Kevin R. Kosar, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 The next month, Dunleavy used his line-item veto power to slash 3% from the education budget, the largest cut to any department in the state. Emily Schwing, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025 In June, Mayor Todd Gloria used his line-item veto power to change several of the City Council’s recent spending decisions, and the list included a $250,000 cut from what’s known as the Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025 The governor also had previously used a line-item veto to excise sections of two other bills that became law. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for line-item veto

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line-item veto was in 1979

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Cite this Entry

“Line-item veto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line-item%20veto. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

line-item veto

noun
: an executive veto of a specific item in an appropriations bill
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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