veto
VEE-toh
/ˈviːtoʊ/
The power or right to unilaterally stop an official action, especially the enactment of legislation. (noun) To exercise this right. (verb)
A veto is a powerful check on legislative power, allowing an executive (like a president or governor) to reject a bill passed by the legislature. It's a formal declaration of disapproval.
The story behind the word. The word 'veto' comes directly from Latin, where it means 'I forbid'. This powerful declaration was famously used by Roman tribunes, who had the authority to block actions of the Senate. When a president or governor 'vetoes' a bill today, they are essentially saying 'I forbid this bill from becoming law', carrying forward a tradition of executive checks on legislative power.
Word relationships
- reject: More general; 'veto' is a specific, formal type of rejection by an executive.
- forbid: Carries the same meaning as the Latin root, but 'veto' is more specific to official legislative contexts.
- block: To prevent something from happening; 'veto' is a specific mechanism for blocking legislation.
- approve: To formally agree to something, the opposite of vetoing it.
- ratify: To give formal consent, making something valid, the opposite of rejecting it.
Collocations
- presidential veto
- veto a bill
- exercise a veto
- override a veto
Example sentences
- "The President threatened to veto the spending bill if it included funding for controversial projects." Presidential Powers
- "Russia exercised its veto power in the UN Security Council, blocking the resolution." International Relations
Memory hook
The 'VETO' is the 'V'ery 'E'xecutive 'T'ool to 'O'utlaw a bill. I forbid
When not to use
Do not use 'veto' for informal rejections or disagreements. It's a specific term for an official, executive power.
Fun facts
- In the U.S., a presidential veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The United Nations Security Council's five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) each hold veto power.
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