ways and means

plural noun

1

: methods and resources for accomplishing something and especially for defraying expenses

2

often capitalized W&M

a

: methods and resources for raising the necessary revenues for the expenses of a nation or state

b

: a legislative committee concerned with this function

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But the third time might be the charm for MassPack, if the Senate ways and means language wins out. —Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023

But just as the nature of the attacks varies by locale, so do the ways and means of deterring them available to local communities. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2023

The future of art and design is a highly hybrid future that mixes traditional physical expressions of originality and creativity with highly digitalized ways and means of selling art. —Mirjana Perkovic, Forbes, 24 June 2021

While Wilco broke new ground for rock and country music in its own ways and means, Trampled is clearing new trails for acoustic and jam-grass acts, redefining the sonics of the string-music world. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2022

Those interested in watching O’Sullivan’s First Law play out in real time should pay attention to the ways and means of the allegedly bipartisan National Association of Attorneys General, a.k.a. —Jack Fowler, National Review, 26 July 2022

Mileak Harper, city controller, said the administration amended the ordinance as requested by the council during a ways and means committee meeting last week. —Carrie Napoleon, chicagotribune.com, 16 Feb. 2022

At a lengthy City Hall hearing, Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, chair of the council’s ways and means committee that oversees police budget discussions, questioned police officials about high overtime spending. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022

As participating nations emerged from COP26 with an agreement to achieve net-zero by 2050, conversations around the ways and means of achieving this is set to gather steam. —Forbes, 3 June 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

ways and means

noun plural

1

: methods and resources for raising the necessary revenues for the expenses of a nation or state

2

often capitalized W&M : a legislative committee with jurisdiction over ways and means