ways and means

plural noun

1. legislation, methods, and means of raising revenue for the use of the government.
2. methods and means of accomplishing or paying for something.

ways and means

plural noun

1. the revenues and methods of raising the revenues needed for the functioning of a state or other political unit
2. usually capital a standing committee of the US House of Representatives that supervises all financial legislation
3. the methods and resources for accomplishing some purpose

Word History and Origins

Origin of ways and means¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

The minister, Jack Chambers, said his budget provided the "ways and means for continuing to deliver many more, bright and hopeful days for us all."

From BBC

"He joined in 2021 at the height of his offending, and there should have been ways and means of vetting someone like that, so they never got close to a police uniform," Ms Billingham said.

From BBC

On Friday, the ways and means committee sent the bill for a vote on the Senate floor.

From Seattle Times

The three-to-two vote in favor of the bill sends it to the ways and means committee before a vote on the Senate floor.

From Washington Times

“There are strong recommendations, and my focus will be on finding ways and means to engage with the Chinese authorities on implementing those recommendations.”

From New York Times