filibuster

[ fil-uh-buhs-ter ]

noun

1. U.S. Politics.
   1. the use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
   2. an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.
   3. a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.
2. an irregular military adventurer, especially one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.

verb (used without object)

1. U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.
2. to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes.

verb (used with object)

1. U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

filibuster

/ ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə /

noun

1. the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics
2. Also calledfilibusterer a legislator who engages in such obstruction
3. a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country

verb

1. to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics
2. intr to engage in unlawful and private military action

filibuster

1. A strategy employed in the United States Senate , whereby a minority can delay a vote on proposed legislation by making long speeches or introducing irrelevant issues. A successful filibuster can force withdrawal of a bill. Filibusters can be ended only by cloture .

Derived Forms

• ˈfiliˌbusterism, noun
• ˈfiliˌbusterer, noun

Other Words From

• fili·buster·er noun
• fili·buster·ism noun
• fili·buster·ous adjective
• anti·fili·buster noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of filibuster¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Spanish filibustero, from Middle French flibustier, variant of fribustier; freebooter

Word History and Origins

Origin of filibuster¹

C16: from Spanish filibustero , from French flibustier probably from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate, literally: one plundering freely; see freebooter

Example Sentences

A major impediment to total control for either party is that Senate bills require a three-fifths majority, or 60 votes, to bypass the filibuster, which enables senators to delay legislation by keeping debate open-ended.

From BBC

Republicans won’t have 60 votes to break a likely Democratic filibuster, and some conservatives want to keep the department in place but redirect it toward their goals.

From Los Angeles Times

Schnur added that the filibuster would almost certainly be eliminated and the body would become “almost an assembly line” for Trump’s judicial nominees.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal abortion rights law would need enough votes to overcome a Senate filibuster from Republicans.

From Los Angeles Times

Vice President Kamala Harris called for eliminating the filibuster in the Senate to pass federal legislation protecting abortion rights on Tuesday, Politico reported.

From Salon

Related Words

• delaying tactic
• obstruction
• procrastination