filibuster
filibuster Lexical Profile
filibuster Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A prolonged speech or other parliamentary tactic used in a legislative assembly, especially the United States Senate, to delay or prevent a vote on a proposed bill or resolution.
"The minority party staged an overnight filibuster to block the passage of the controversial tax reform bill."
A legislator or member of a deliberative body who engages in prolonged speeches or delaying tactics to obstruct the passage of legislation.
"The veteran senator became known as a relentless filibuster who could hold the floor for over twelve hours."
An irregular military adventurer or freebooter who engages in an unauthorized armed expedition into a foreign country to foment revolution or seize territory (historical).
"During the mid-nineteenth century, several American filibusters led private military expeditions into Central America."
• verb
To obstruct or delay legislative action on a bill or resolution by making prolonged speeches or using other procedural delaying tactics.
"Opposition senators threatened to filibuster the judicial nomination until their demands for committee hearings were met."
To take part in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country or territory to incite revolution or seize power (historical).
"Adventurers from the southern states attempted to filibuster in Cuba and Nicaragua during the 1850s."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Spanish filibustero and French flibustier from Dutch vrijbuiter ('freebooter' or 'pirate'); originally denoting 17th-century Caribbean buccaneers and 19th-century military adventurers, it shifted in American politics to mean 'hijacking' legislative debate.