English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun

filibuster

FIH-lih-buhs-tuh
Quiz me More like this

Filibuster (noun) means a tactic used in a legislature — typically extended, often irrelevant speeches — to stall a vote or block a decision. Example: “The senator held the floor for twelve hours in a filibuster against the bill.”

noun
1
A tactic used in a legislature — typically extended, often irrelevant speeches — to stall a vote or block a decision.
"The senator held the floor for twelve hours in a filibuster against the bill."
"Opponents threatened a filibuster to prevent the vote from ever happening."
verb
1
To use such delaying tactics in a legislative body.
"They vowed to filibuster the nomination until it was withdrawn."

How to use filibuster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDeliberately talking for a very long time in parliament or Congress to delay or block a vote.

Memory tip

Most commonly heard in U.S. politics, describing senators speaking for hours to stall legislation.

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
stage a filibuster threaten to filibuster filibuster a bill
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like filibuster.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
filibusters
Third person singular
filibusters
Past tense
filibustered
Test yourself on “filibuster” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The senator held the floor for twelve hours in a _____ against the bill.

Etymology

From Spanish filibustero ("pirate"), itself from French flibustier, ultimately traced back to Dutch vrijbuiter — "freebooter" — the same root that gives English the word freebooter.

Origin: French

Synonyms

View more →
filibusterer

Antonyms

cloture

Related words

closure cloture filibusterer

Rhymes for filibuster

muster luster buster duster Custer cluster bluster Shuster baluster thruster Schuster adjuster
See all rhymes for filibuster →

Frequently asked questions

What does “filibuster” mean?
The word “filibuster” means a tactic used in a legislature — typically extended, often irrelevant speeches — to stall a vote or block a decision. In plain terms, deliberately talking for a very long time in parliament or Congress to delay or block a vote.
How do you pronounce “filibuster”?
“Filibuster” is pronounced FIH-lih-buhs-tuh (/ˈfɪləˌbəstər/ in IPA).
How do you use “filibuster” in a sentence?
Here is “filibuster” used in a sentence: “The senator held the floor for twelve hours in a filibuster against the bill.”
What part of speech is “filibuster”?
Depending on how it is used, “filibuster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “filibuster” come from?
The word “filibuster” comes from French. From Spanish filibustero ("pirate"), itself from French flibustier, ultimately traced back to Dutch vrijbuiter — "freebooter" — the same root that gives English the word freebooter.
How many meanings does “filibuster” have?
“Filibuster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tactic used in a legislature — typically extended, often irrelevant speeches — to stall a vote or block a decision.

People also searched

closure cloture filibusterer