veto
/ˈviːtəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈviːtəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvē-(ˌ)tō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈviː.təʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈviː.t̬oʊ/ (ame, ipa)
veto — noun
- vetosingular
- vetoesplural
1. the formal authority that one person or group holds to stop a proposed law, deci
the formal authority that one person or group holds to stop a proposed law, decision, or plan from going ahead, even if others have already agreed to it
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council each hold a veto over resolutions.
hold a veto over [something]
Yael argued that the school board should not have a veto over teachers' lesson plans.
have a veto over [something]
The mayor lost his power of veto after the new city charter was approved last year.
Parents in the village still claim a veto on what is taught at the local primary school.
Under the old rules, any single member state could exercise the right of veto.
- right of refusal
neutral synonym; emphasises the right rather than the power to block
- blocking power
informal; useful for describing minority shareholders or coalition partners
- approval
the positive counterpart — the authority to allow rather than block
文法句型
have/hold a veto over [something]
the right of veto
用法筆記
Subject is usually an official body or office-holder (a president, council member, parent, board). Distinguish from sense 2: this is the standing authority itself, not a single occasion of using it.
常見錯誤
2. a single occasion when somebody with the power to do so officially blocks a part
a single occasion when somebody with the power to do so officially blocks a particular law, decision, or proposal, for example by casting a vote against it
Russia cast a veto on the ceasefire resolution at the United Nations last Friday.
cast a veto on [something]
Daichi was furious when his father issued a flat veto on the family trip to Korea.
issue a veto on [something]
The committee's veto of the new stadium plan surprised many local residents.
Walid said the manager's veto on overtime had cost the team several wins.
There have been only three presidential vetoes of major spending bills this decade.
- assent
formal agreement to a proposal
文法句型
a veto on [something]
use/exercise/cast a veto
用法筆記
Countable and pluralises as 'vetoes'. Distinguish from sense 1 by asking whether you can count the occasions: if yes (one veto last week, three vetoes this year), this is sense 2.
常見錯誤
veto — verb
- vetopresent simple I / you / we / they
- vetoes3rd person singular
- vetoing-ing form
- vetoedpast simple
1. if a person or body with the right authority vetoes a plan, law, or suggestion,
if a person or body with the right authority vetoes a plan, law, or suggestion, they officially stop it from going ahead, even when others want it
The governor vetoed the new gun bill before it could reach her desk for signing.
veto [a bill]
Linh's grandmother vetoed the family plan to sell the old farmhouse in Hue.
veto [somebody's] plan
China vetoed the proposed sanctions during the council vote on Tuesday morning.
Jabari's idea for a school dance was vetoed by the principal at the planning meeting.
Andrei tried to invite his cousin to dinner, but his wife vetoed the suggestion at once.
文法句型
veto [something]
veto [somebody]'s [proposal/plan]
用法筆記
Subject must have real authority over the object (a head of state over a bill, a parent over a family decision, a senior partner over a project). It is also common in informal extension — a spouse or friend who 'vetoes' a plan is jokingly granted the same blocking power.