I. ˈvē-(ˌ)tō noun
( plural vetoes )
Etymology: Latin, I forbid, from vetare to forbid
Date: 1629
1. : an authoritative prohibition : interdiction
2.
a. : a power of one department or branch of a government to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying out of projects attempted by another department ; especially : a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature
b.
(1) : the exercise of such authority
(2) : a message communicating the reasons of an executive and especially the president of the United States for vetoing a proposed law
II. transitive verb
( ve·toed ; ve·to·ing )
Date: 1706
: to refuse to admit or approve : prohibit ; also : to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration
• ve·to·er -ˌtō-ər noun