senatorial courtesy

noun

: a custom of the U.S. Senate of refusing to confirm a presidential appointment of an official in or from a state when the appointment is opposed by the senators or senior senator of the president's party from that state

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The two slip rule, critically, remained in effect as long as Democrats controlled the Senate even once Barack Obama took over as president — with Democrats choosing to uphold a senatorial courtesy over partisan advantage. —

Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 3 July 2018 In its defense, the blue slip is a bow in the direction of both bipartisanship and senatorial courtesy. —

Jonathan S. Tobin, National Review, 11 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'senatorial courtesy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of senatorial courtesy was in 1884

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Dictionary Entries Near senatorial courtesy

senatorial

senatorial courtesy

senatorial district

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Senatorial courtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senatorial%20courtesy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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