n. The custom in the US Senate of refusing to confirm a presidential appointment to office opposed by both senators from the state of the appointee or by the senior senator of the president's party.
senato′rial cour′tesy
n. the practice in the U.S. Senate of confirming only those presidential appointees approved by both senators from the state of the appointee, or by the senior senator of the president's party. [1880–85, Amer.]