veto

Noun · Verb
US[vee-toh]/ˈviˌtoʊ/2 syllables
Synonyms: blackballnegativeforbidprohibitinterdictproscribedisallownix

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)vetoes

  1. a vote that blocks a decisionType of vote, ballotKinds pocket veto
  2. the power or right to prohibit or reject a proposed or intended act (especially the power of a chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature)Type of power, powerfulness

Verb (2)vetoed, vetoing

  1. vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent“The President vetoed the bill”Synonyms: blackballnegativeMore general oppose, controvertMore specific kill, shoot downInvolves vote
  2. command against“I forbid you to call me late at night”“Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store”“Dad nixed our plans”Synonyms: forbidprohibitinterdictproscribedisallownixMore general command, requireMore specific bar, enjoin, ban, outlaw

Related words nix verb, negative verb, forbiddance noun

Word of the day · Oct 12About this word
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Ve′to (vē′tō), noun; pl. Vetoes (vē′wb-a1′>′tōz).

Origin: L. veto I forbid.

1. An authoritative prohibition or negative; a forbidding; an interdiction.

This contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family.— pseud. of Mary Ann

2. Specifically: —

(a) A power or right possessed by one department of government to forbid or prohibit the carrying out of projects attempted by another department; especially, in a constitutional government, a power vested in the chief executive to prevent the enactment of measures passed by the legislature. Such a power may be absolute, as in the case of the Tribunes of the People in ancient Rome, or limited, as in the case of the President of the United States. Called also the veto power.

(b) The exercise of such authority; an act of prohibition or prevention; as, a veto is probable if the bill passes.

(c) A document or message communicating the reasons of the executive for not officially approving a proposed law; — called also veto message. US

☞ Veto is not a term employed in the Federal Constitution, but seems to be of popular use only. Benjamin Vaughan. Abbott

Ve′to transitive verb [past tense & past participle Vetoed (vē′tōd); present participle & verbal noun Vetoing.]

To prohibit; to negative; also, to refuse assent to, as a legislative bill, and thus prevent its enactment; as, to veto an appropriation bill.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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