veto

1 of 2

noun

ve·​to ˈvē-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce veto (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
What’s at stake: Wisconsinites have seen five referendum questions this year, all placed on the ballot by Republicans as a roundabout to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ veto. USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 Related Articles Nursing aides plagued by PTSD after ‘nightmare’ COVID conditions, with little help Gov. Newsom vetoes bill meant to protect farmworkers from heat Valley Health Foundation honors Bloom Energy founder What’s covered by California’s new IVF insurance requirement? Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
The bill passed the state legislature over industry opposition, but got vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024 Earlier this year, the Virginia bill passed both chambers but was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for veto 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of veto was in 1629

Dictionary Entries Near veto

Cite this Entry

“Veto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veto. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun
ve·​to ˈvēt-ō How to pronounce veto (audio)
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 noun
Etymology

Noun

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

Legal Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun
ve·​to ˈvē-tō How to pronounce veto (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on veto

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!