veto
B2Formal, official, academic, news
Definition
Meaning
the constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
A person's or body's power to prohibit or reject a course of action; an authoritative rejection or prohibition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies authoritative power, often in a political, legal, or organizational context. As a verb, it often collocates with institutions or authoritative figures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in political/governmental contexts in both. The US President's veto power is a more prominent feature in American political discourse. The UK's royal assent (a veto power) is now a historical/ceremonial convention.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with checks and balances and partisan politics. In the UK, often associated with historical royal power or the UN Security Council.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in political contexts; slightly more frequent in US media due to the presidential system.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Institution/Person] vetoes [bill/plan/proposal/resolution][Institution/Person] exercises/has the power of veto over [something][Bill] was vetoed by [Institution/Person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “power of the purse (related but not synonymous)”
- “have the final say (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO can veto any major expenditure proposed by the board.
Academic
The committee's voting structure gives the chair a de facto veto.
Everyday
My flatmate used her informal veto to stop us getting a puppy.
Technical
The UN Security Council's permanent members hold veto power under Article 27 of the UN Charter.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Mayor threatened to veto the council's transport scheme.
- The board voted to veto the merger on competition grounds.
American English
- The President is expected to veto the defense bill.
- Shareholders vetoed the executive pay package.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher said no. She vetoed our idea for a class party.
- The committee has the power to veto new projects if they are too expensive.
- The proposed law was passed by parliament but was later vetoed by the president.
- The permanent members of the Security Council wield considerable geopolitical influence through their veto power, which can paralyse the body's decision-making.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'VETO' = 'Vote Ends The Option'. The one with the veto power ends the discussion.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VETO is a STOP SIGN or a ROADBLOCK in the process of decision-making.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as simple 'запрет' (ban). It is a specific, often constitutional or procedural, right of rejection. 'Вето' is a direct loanword in Russian and is used similarly, but the contexts (e.g., presidential vs. royal) differ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'veto' for a simple personal preference ('I veto pizza tonight' is overly dramatic/formal). Confusing 'veto' (reject a decision) with 'abolish' (get rid of something existing).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these situations is the use of 'veto' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin and most formal use are political, it is used in any context where an individual or group has the authoritative right to reject a decision (e.g., business, committees, clubs).
Yes. You can say 'The US President issued 12 vetoes during his term' or 'The UK has not used the royal veto for centuries.'
'Veto' implies a specific, often formal or constitutional, power or right to reject. 'Reject' is more general. All vetoes are rejections, but not all rejections are vetoes.
A legislative maneuver, particularly in the US system, where an executive indirectly vetoes a bill by taking no action on it until after a legislative session has ended.