logrolling

1 of 2

noun

log·​roll·​ing ˈlȯg-ˌrō-liŋ 

ˈläg-

1

[from a former American custom of neighbors assisting one another in rolling logs into a pile for burning] : the exchanging of assistance or favors

specifically : the trading of votes by legislators to secure favorable action on projects of interest to each one

2

: the rolling of logs in water by treading

also : a sport in which contestants treading logs try to dislodge one another

logrolling

2 of 2

present participle of logroll

Examples of logrolling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This Stasi-worthy logrolling is how the media propagandize for the propagandist. — Armond White, National Review, 25 Oct. 2023

Petitioners shouldn’t bundle unrelated issues together, a practice derisively known as logrolling. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 Nov. 2019

Incarnate Word sophomore Ameer King hates the Cardinals’ logrolling drill. — Greg Luca, ExpressNews.com, 21 Aug. 2019

Even with the stoutest of disclosures, this form of op-edding would smack of legal logrolling. — Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 27 June 2018

But hey, everybody hates taxes, and why should this industry be cut out of the logrolling big barbecue of a bill that is largely based on the idea that tax cuts pay for themselves? — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, 21 Dec. 2017

In many democracies, of course, logrolling is neither rare nor necessarily bad. — Eduardo Mello, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for logrolling

• cajoling
• consoling
• controlling
• enrolling
• extolling
• patrolling
• unrolling
• bowling
• coaling
• doling
• growling
• holing

Kids Definition

logrolling

noun

log·​roll·​ing ˈlȯg-ˌrō-liŋ 

ˈläg-

1

: the rolling of logs in water by treading

2

: the trading of votes by legislators to get favorable action on projects of interest to each

Legal Definition

logrolling

noun

log·​roll·​ing ˈlȯg-ˌrō-liŋ, ˈläg- 

: the practice of including in a legislative bill unrelated provisions to attract a wider base of support and insure passage of the bill as a whole

Etymology

Noun

from the former American custom of neighbors assisting one another in rolling logs into a pile for burning