veto

noun ve·to \ ˈvē-(ˌ)tō \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of veto

plural vetoes

1 : an authoritative prohibition : interdiction

2 a : a power of one department or branch of a government to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying out of projects attempted by another department; especially : a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature

b (1) : the exercise of such authority

(2) : a message communicating the reasons of an executive and especially the president of the U.S. for vetoing a proposed law

See veto defined for English-language learners

See veto defined for kids

Examples of veto in a Sentence

a veto of a bill
Are there enough votes in Congress to override the President's veto?
The President has the veto over new legislation.
The President may choose to exercise his veto.

Recent Examples of veto from the Web

In September, Walker used his veto powers to eliminate five jobs from the agency.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Elections Commission wants to use $7 million in federal funds to block hackers from Wisconsin's system this fall," 18 Apr. 2018
Currently, legislative lines are drawn by a five-member commission, and congressional lines are established by legislation subject to gubernatorial veto.

— john baer, Philly.com, "An iceberg on the voyage to fairer Pa. elections | John Baer," 16 Apr. 2018
This tradition, while not articulated anywhere in city code, has historically given aldermen veto power over developments in their wards.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Housing Aldermen's absolute veto power over ward projects gets unlikely court challenge," 16 Apr. 2018
Before the final day, teachers and their supporters will be watching to see whether Gov. Matt Bevin exercises his veto power in their favor.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "As Kentucky teachers' movement grows, splits appear over next moves and possible sickouts," 6 Apr. 2018
Recent impulsive tweets have included a threat to a veto a spending bill designed to avert a government shutdown, and an announcement that White House physician Ronny Jackson would replace David Shulkin as secretary of Veterans Affairs.

— david jackson, USA TODAY, "Donald Trump tweets policy, forcing aides to fill in details (or walk them back)," 5 Apr. 2018
But someone has to make a final call, with Meyer holding veto power, on third-and-3 on gameday.

— doug lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Ryan Day, the Ohio State coach who stayed for a National Championship: Doug Lesmerises," 26 Mar. 2018
In 2001, the city moved to a stronger mayor form of government – a hybrid where the city manager is the chief administrator, Council is the legislative body and the mayor guides the council agenda with veto power.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Recall John Cranley? Cincinnati councilman says yes - and he wants you to vote on the idea," 26 Mar. 2018
Although some states have independent redistricting commissions, most rely on state lawmakers to draw the boundaries subject to a gubernatorial veto.

— david a. lieb, Detroit Free Press, "$20M Democratic ad buy targets 4 states key to redistricting," 16 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of veto

Latin, I forbid, from vetare to forbid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1629

See Words from the same year

veto Synonyms

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

veto

verb

Definition of veto

vetoed; vetoing

transitive verb

: to refuse to admit or approve : prohibit; also : to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration

—

vetoer

play \ˈvē-(ˌ)tō-ər\ noun

See veto defined for English-language learners

Examples of veto in a Sentence

The President vetoed the bill.
We wanted to do a cross-country trip, but our parents vetoed it.
She vetoed several restaurants before we could agree on one.

Recent Examples of veto from the Web

Russia has vetoed at least six resolutions in the U.N. Security Council regarding chemical weapons.

— the washington post, AL.com, "New sanctions on Russia coming, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley says," 15 Apr. 2018
The previous April, New Mexico had actually been slated to approve the NGSS, but then its Republican governor vetoed it and had the education department go back to the drawing board.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "How the March For Science Became a Movement," 13 Apr. 2018
Because of this, the EPA vetoed the project under the Clean Water Act in 2014.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "These Are America’s Ten Most Endangered Rivers," 12 Apr. 2018
Just weeks after Donald Trump threatened to veto, and then signed, a massive spending bill, the president is reportedly scrambling to undo its effects.

— emma stefansky, The Hive, "Signer’s Remorse: Trump Scrambling to Reverse Effects of Spending Bill He Signed," 8 Apr. 2018
Ducey vetoed two similar bills in 2016 and might do so again.

— dustin gardiner, azcentral, "Arizona aquifers are in trouble, but lawmakers want fewer rules for pumping groundwater," 4 Apr. 2018
Update: Trump signed the bill Friday afternoon after threatening to veto it.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Congress votes for spending bill without Trump energy cuts; Trump signs bill [update]," 23 Mar. 2018
Though ongoing, typically efforts to ban abortions at six or 12 weeks have either been struck down by courts or vetoed.

— refinery29.com, "Mississippi Could Be The First State To Ban Abortion At 15 Weeks," 19 Mar. 2018
This won’t be possible if Hungary holds fast to its promise to veto any action.

— melissa hooper, The New Republic, "A Humble Proposal to Sanction Some Hungarian Kleptocrats," 4 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of veto

1706

veto Synonyms

Synonyms

blackball, down, kill, negative, nix, shoot down;

Antonyms

confirm, ratify;

Near Antonyms

admit, allow, approve, assent (to), pass, sanction;

elect, support;

blacklist;

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

VETO Defined for English Language Learners

veto

noun

Definition of veto for English Language Learners

: a decision by a person in authority to not allow or approve something (such as a new law)
: the right or power of a person in authority to decide that something (such as a new law) will not be approved

veto

verb

Definition of veto for English Language Learners

: to reject (a proposed law) officially : to refuse to allow (a bill) to become a law
: to refuse to allow or accept (something, such as a plan or suggestion)

VETO Defined for Kids

veto

noun ve·to \ ˈvē-tō \

Definition of veto for Students

plural vetoes

1 : the act of forbidding something by a person in authority

2 : the power of a president, governor, or mayor to prevent something from becoming law

veto

verb

Definition of veto for Students

vetoed; vetoing

1 : forbid, prohibit

We wanted to stay up, but Dad vetoed the idea.

2 : to prevent from becoming law by use of the power to do so

Law Dictionary

veto

noun ve·to \ ˈvē-tō \

legal Definition of veto

plural vetoes

1 : an authoritative prohibition

2 a : a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature

b : the exercise of such authority — see also pocket veto — compare legislative veto

Origin and Etymology of veto

Latin, I forbid, refuse assent to

veto

transitive verb

legal Definition of veto

vetoed; vetoing

: to refuse to admit or approve; specifically : to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration — see also override