noun
veto
VEE-toh
noun
1
The official power to reject or block a decision, law, or proposal.
"The president used his veto to block the new bill."
verb
1
To officially reject or block something using this power.
"The council vetoed the plan to build on the green space."
How to Use Veto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe power to officially stop or block a decision, and the act of using that power.
Common pairings
veto power
exercise a veto
veto a bill
Word Forms
vetoed past tense, vetoes plural, vetos plural, vetoes singular
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Etymology
From Latin vetare, "to forbid" — Roman officials once used the single word "veto" ("I forbid") to block a proposal outright.