noun pl. vetoes -·toes

1. 1. an order prohibiting some proposed or intended act; prohibition, esp. by a person in authority
   2. the power to prevent action by such prohibition
2. the constitutional right or power of a ruler or legislature to reject bills passed by another branch of the government
3. ☆ in the U.S.,
   1. the power of the President to refuse to sign a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless it is passed again (with a two-thirds majority) by both houses
   2. a similar power held by the governors of states
   3. the exercise of this power
4. ☆ a document or message giving the reasons of the executive for rejecting a bill
   also veto message
5. the power of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations to cast a negative vote, affirmative votes of all five being required to take action on other than procedural matters

Etymology: L, I forbid < vetare, to forbid

transitive verb vetoed -·toed, vetoing -·to·ing

1. to prevent (a bill) from becoming law by a veto
2. to forbid; prohibit; refuse consent to