veto

1 of 2

noun

ve·​to ˈvē-(ˌ)tō 

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

veto

2 of 2

verb

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

ˈvē-(ˌ)tō-ər 

noun

Synonyms of veto

Noun

• ban
• prohibition

Verb

• dismiss
• kill
• refuse

Examples of veto in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

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 on the Web

Noun

Crowley has said local communities must have veto authority while also calling data centers a part of the modern economy that could bring significant economic benefits to the state. — Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Crowley has taken a more nuanced approach, saying local communities must have veto authority, while also saying data centers are a part of the modern economy and could bring significant economic benefits to the state. — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Since 2024, Newsom has vetoed three bills that sought to authorize bachelor’s degree programs in nursing at community colleges. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The governor is now planning to veto the remaining provisions in the bill, according to sources familiar with the discussions. — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, I forbid, from vetare to forbid

First Known Use

Noun

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing veto

• line-item veto
• pocket veto
• veto-proof

Rhymes for veto

• peto
• bonito
• burrito
• capito
• mosquito
• negrito
• incognito

Kids Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun

ve·​to ˈvēt-ō 

plural vetoes

1

: a forbidding of something by a person in authority

2

a

: the power of the head of a government to prevent a bill passed by a legislature from becoming law

b

: the use of such authority

veto

2 of 2 verb

: prohibit sense 1

especially : to use one's power of veto

vetoer

-ˌō(-ə)r 

noun

Etymology

Noun

from Latin veto "I forbid," from vetare "to forbid"

Legal Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun

ve·​to ˈvē-tō 

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

veto

2 of 2 transitive verb

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

Etymology

Noun

Latin, I forbid, refuse assent to