# filibuster

/ˈfɪɫəˌbəstɝ/ (US) · /fˈɪlɪbˌʌstɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filibuster
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a long speech or series of speeches in a parliament to delay a vote or stop a law from passing. It is a way to use time to influence a decision.

For teachers: a procedural tactic used in legislative bodies to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period. Often used to block legislation that the minority party opposes.

## Examples

- The senator used a filibuster to stop the new tax law.
- The minority party launched a last-minute filibuster to force the government to reconsider the proposed budget cuts.
- While the tradition of the filibuster is seen by some as a vital check on majority power, others argue it has become a tool for obstruction that paralyzes the legislative process.

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