veto

Everyday

1. A veto is the right of one person or group to stop a decision or law, even if others agree with it. tree →
2. To veto something is to use that power to say no and stop it. tree →
3. (informal) To veto an idea at home or with friends is just to refuse it: «Mum vetoed the idea of a puppy.» tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship lessons the US President can veto laws passed by Congress, and five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (the USA, the UK, France, Russia and China) each have a veto, so one «no» can block a decision, for example Russia blocking UN action on its invasion of Ukraine. In everyday life, children and parents «veto» choices for films or dinner. Phrases: use a veto, power of veto, right of veto, veto a plan.

Examples

• The President vetoed the new law. tree →
• Russia used its veto at the UN Security Council. tree →
• Each of the five permanent members has a veto. tree →
• My sister vetoed my idea of pizza for breakfast. tree →
• The head teacher has the power of veto over school trips. tree →
• One veto is enough to stop the resolution. tree →
• Dad vetoed the scary film. tree →
• The council could not veto the plan on its own. tree →

Note

Noun plural: vetoes (with e). Verb: veto, vetoes, vetoed, vetoing. Pronounced «VEE-toe». From Latin, meaning «I forbid». A veto stops something; it does not make a new plan instead.