English · Word Candidate

veto

/ˈviːtəʊ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: vetoes · vetos · vetoing · vetoed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A political right to disapprove of (and thereby stop) the process of a decision, a law etc.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An invocation of that right.

Noun

Examples

I called Haig in and told him that I wanted to veto the agricultural appropriations bill we had discussed in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, because I did not want Ford to have to do it on his first day as President. Haig brought the veto statement in, and I signed it. It was the last piece of legis

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To use a veto against.

Verb

Examples

The president vetoed the bill.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To countermand.

Verb

Examples

Mom and Dad vetoed our menu preferences for the holiday meal.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “veto” mean?

A political right to disapprove of (and thereby stop) the process of a decision, a law etc.

Is “veto” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.