veto

noun

/ˈviːtəʊ/

(plural vetoes)

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[countable, uncountable] the right to refuse to allow something to be done, especially the right to stop a law from being passed or a decision from being taken
- The British government used its veto to block the proposal.
- to have the power/right of veto
- the use of the presidential veto
see also line-item veto
Extra Examples
- The President hasn't yet used his veto pen.
- The Senate voted to override the president's veto.
- The agreement became possible when Spain lifted its veto.
- The board can exercise its veto to prevent the decision.
- The nobles had a virtual veto against peasant candidates.
- The opposition parties effectively have a veto on constitutional reform.
- a veto over all political appointments
- The Ministry of Defence has the power of veto over all arms exports.
- The president has a veto on/over all political appointments.
Topics Preferences and decisionsc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- effective
- government
- gubernatorial
- …
verb + veto
- have
- wield
- exercise
- …
veto + noun
- power
- rights
- threat
- …
preposition
- veto against
- veto on
- veto over
- …
phrases
- a/the power of veto
- a/the right of veto
See full entry
[countable] veto (on something/on doing something) an occasion when somebody refuses to allow something to be done synonym ban
- For months there was a veto on employing new staff.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- effective
- government
- gubernatorial
- …
verb + veto
- have
- wield
- exercise
- …
veto + noun
- power
- rights
- threat
- …
preposition
- veto against
- veto on
- veto over
- …
phrases
- a/the power of veto
- a/the right of veto
See full entry

Word Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘I forbid’, used by Roman tribunes of the people when opposing measures of the Senate.

veto

verb

/ˈviːtəʊ/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they veto	/ˈviːtəʊ/ /ˈviːtəʊ/
he / she / it vetoes	/ˈviːtəʊz/ /ˈviːtəʊz/
past simple vetoed	/ˈviːtəʊd/ /ˈviːtəʊd/
past participle vetoed	/ˈviːtəʊd/ /ˈviːtəʊd/
-ing form vetoing	/ˈviːtəʊɪŋ/ /ˈviːtəʊɪŋ/

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veto something to stop something from happening or being done by using your official authority (= by using your veto)
- Plans for the dam have been vetoed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- The president effectively vetoed this measure.
- The Senate has the power to veto legislation.
Collocations Politics
PoliticsPower
- create/form/be the leader of a political party
- gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
- start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
- be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
- lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
- seize/take control of the government/power
- bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
- abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
- establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
- be forced/removed/driven from office/power
- resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
- enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
- launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
- join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
- criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
- lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
- call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
- formulate/implement domestic economic policy
- change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
- be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
- reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
- privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
- invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
- nationalize the banks/the oil industry
- promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
- a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
- have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
- propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
- introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
- amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
- veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
- get/require/be decided by a majority vote
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- effectively
verb + veto
- threaten to
phrases
- the power to veto something
- the right to veto something
See full entry
veto something to refuse to accept or do what somebody has suggested synonym rule out
- I wanted to go camping but the others quickly vetoed that idea.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- effectively
verb + veto
- threaten to
phrases
- the power to veto something
- the right to veto something
See full entry

Word Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘I forbid’, used by Roman tribunes of the people when opposing measures of the Senate.