filibuster
FIL-uh-buhs-ter
/ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstər/
An action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically violating the required procedures.
Strictly used in legislative or political contexts to describe a deliberate delay tactic to prevent a vote on a bill.
The story behind the word. The word began as the Dutch 'vrijbuiter' (freebooter or pirate). In the 19th century, Spanish-speaking adventurers who tried to overthrow Central American governments were called 'filibusteros.' The U.S. Senate adopted the term to describe senators who 'pirated' or hijacked the legislative floor to block bills.
Word relationships
- stonewall: Stonewall is broader and means refusing to cooperate or answer questions, whereas a filibuster is a specific legislative procedure of speaking continuously to delay a vote.
- delaying tactic: Delaying tactic is a general term, whereas filibuster is highly specific to legislative assemblies.
- cloture: A legislative procedure for ending a debate and taking an immediate vote.
- expedite: To make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
Commonly confused with
- freebooter: A freebooter is an actual pirate, which is the historical origin of filibuster, but the modern terms have completely diverged.
Word family
- filibustering (noun): The act of delaying legislative action.
- filibusterer (noun): A legislator who carries out a filibuster.
Collocations
- launch a filibuster
- threaten a filibuster
- filibuster a bill
Example sentences
- "The senator launched a twenty-four-hour filibuster to prevent the controversial bill from coming to a vote." A historical account of a famous Senate delay tactic.
Memory hook
Imagine a senator dressed as a pirate, holding a 'buster' sword, blocking the door to the voting booth. Pirating the legislative floor.
When not to use
Do not use for a simple, long-winded speech in a casual setting; use 'ramble' or 'monologue' instead.
Fun facts
- The longest single-person filibuster in U.S. Senate history was conducted by Strom Thurmond in 1957, lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes.
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