checks and balances
noun
plural in form but sometimes singular in construction
: a system that allows each branch of a government to amend, override, or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power or power beyond its authority
Things that for many decades were givens—the checks and balances on the executive, the role of the judiciary or the civil service, a media free from interference or vilification—now appear vulnerable.—
Emily Maitlis
Emily Maitlis"I do think that there is an expectation in our country that checks and balances is a good thing," [Senator John] Thune said …—Stephen Groves
Stephen Groves
broadly
: a system in which power and control is distributed and counterbalanced (as to prevent unethical or harmful actions)
Founders [of startup businesses] benefit from checks and balances. … It makes the company more trustworthy, easier to finance, and less likely to implode. For those same reasons, checks and balances help employees. —Noam Wasserman
Noam Wasserman Examples of checks and balances in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The goal is mass deregulation — a weakening of checks and balances and a major cut to basic government services, all in the name of concentrating power among a small group of plutocrats.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
That’s due in part to our careful checks and balances that ensure correct and fair tallies, including routine audits.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Experts believe Trump can get much further on upending the government system this go-around compared to his first term -- in part because the typical checks and balances are expected to lean in his favor.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024
The Electoral College was designed as part of the wider system of checks and balances, vesting power in individual states to conduct their own elections and send their votes to Washington rather than having elections held at the federal level.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
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Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
That’s due in part to our careful checks and balances that ensure correct and fair tallies, including routine audits.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Experts believe Trump can get much further on upending the government system this go-around compared to his first term -- in part because the typical checks and balances are expected to lean in his favor.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024
The Electoral College was designed as part of the wider system of checks and balances, vesting power in individual states to conduct their own elections and send their votes to Washington rather than having elections held at the federal level.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for checks and balances
Dictionary Entries Near checks and balances
Cite this Entry
“Checks and balances.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checks%20and%20balances. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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