ENGLISH
REFERENCE

veto

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˈviˌtoʊ// UK //vˈiːtəʊ// ve·to

n. the official power to stop a plan or a law from happening. You use this when someone in charge says 'no' to a decision made by others.

n. the constitutional right or power to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. Often used in the context of international diplomacy or executive government branches.


SIMPLE

The president decided to use his veto on the new law.

CONTEXTUAL

The mayor threatened to exercise her veto if the council did not increase the budget for public parks.

COMPLEX

The permanent members of the UN Security Council hold the power of veto, allowing any one of them to block a resolution regardless of international support.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin vetō (“I forbid”).

Usage

Often paired with the verbs 'exercise', 'use', or 'issue'. When used as a countable noun, it refers to the specific act of rejecting a bill.

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