noun plural
Etymology: Middle English weys and menes, weyes and meanes
1. : methods and resources for accomplishing something and especially for defraying expenses
2.
a. often capitalized W&M : methods and resources for raising the necessary revenues for the expenses of a political unit (as a nation or state)
b. often capitalized W&M : a legislative committee concerned with this function
the chairman of Ways and Means was formerly appointed at the beginning of a new Parliament — T.E.May
the Ways and Means made its first formal proposals on tax legislation for the current session of Congress — New York Times