🇬🇧🇪🇸 veto - veto : English Lesson

Meaning of "veto" ("veto"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

A veto is an official power someone important has to say “no” to a rule, decision, or plan, even if lots of other people said “yes.” When someone uses a veto, the rule or plan usually stops or has to be changed. For example, presidents, governors, and sometimes leaders of groups can use a veto to block a law or choice they don’t agree with.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

My little brother tried to make “burping is applause” a house rule, but Mom’s veto echoed louder than all his burps.

Dad declared a veto on horror movies after Mom screamed louder than the characters.

We wanted to switch music class to “nap class,” but the music teacher sang a veto in high C.

My sister proposed a rule that I must call her “Your Royal Highness,” but I voted a big brother veto.

In some countries, a president can use a veto to stop a law, but only once—after that, if the lawmakers vote again, the veto loses.

At dinner the family voted for pie. Grandmother raised a spoon and dropped a veto on sugar: her veto was a sharp no that made forks freeze. The children begged, the father argued, but her veto stayed. She smiled, kept a small veto for one slice, then lifted the veto — the table cheered.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.