noun
checks and balances
cheks and BAL-un-siz
Checks and balances (noun) means a system in which the separate parts of a government or organisation each hold powers that limit the others, so that no single part can act without restraint. Example: “The courts are a vital part of the checks and balances on executive power.”
noun
1
A system in which the separate parts of a government or organisation each hold powers that limit the others, so that no single part can act without restraint.
"The courts are a vital part of the checks and balances on executive power."
"Investors want stronger checks and balances on how the chief executive spends."
"Without proper checks and balances, one department ends up approving its own work."
How to use checks and balances
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRules that let each part of a system stop the others from going too far.
When to use it
Treated as a plural noun and normally used without an article: checks and balances exist, not a checks and balances.
Memory tip
The phrase is fixed; do not reverse it to balances and checks.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
system of checks and balances
proper checks and balances
erode checks and balances
checks and balances on power
built-in checks and balances
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The courts are a vital part of the _____ on executive power.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unchecked power
absolutism
Related words
Rhymes for checks and balances
See all rhymes for checks and balances →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between checks and balances and separation of powers?
Separation of powers divides government into distinct branches with distinct jobs. Checks and balances is the further step of giving each branch specific powers over the others, such as a veto or the ability to strike down a law, so the division is actually enforced.
Do checks and balances only apply to governments?
No. The phrase is used for any organisation where authority is deliberately split, such as a company separating the people who approve payments from the people who make them.
Is checks and balances singular or plural?
It takes a plural verb, as in the checks and balances were weakened. When it modifies another noun it becomes singular in form: a checks-and-balances system.
What is the meaning of checks and balances?
"checks and balances" (noun) means a system in which the separate parts of a government or organisation each hold powers that limit the others, so that no single part can act without restraint.
