Okuzeka
Politics & Government vocabulary · Parliament and Legislation

Veto

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

/ˈviːtəʊ/nounCommon term

In politics & government, veto means: The official right of a person or body to reject a law or decision; also the act of using this right to stop it.

In Turkish: veto, veto yetkisi

How it is used

Used as a noun and a verb: the president vetoed the bill, or used a veto. In some systems the legislature can override a veto with a larger majority. In some international organizations, certain members have a veto over particular decisions.

Example sentences

  1. The president vetoed the bill and sent it back to parliament.

  2. Parliament needs a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

Common collocations

  • veto a bill
  • use a veto
  • override a veto
  • veto power
  • right of veto
  • presidentThe head of state in a republic. In presidential systems the president also leads the government, while in parliamentary systems the role is often mainly ceremonial.
  • billA written proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law, which parliament discusses and votes on before it can become law.
  • checks and balancesA system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the others, so that no single person or institution can control everything.
  • legislatureThe elected body with the power to make, change and repeal laws, such as a parliament, congress or national assembly.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Parliament and Legislation

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: