WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fil•i•bus•ter /ˈfɪləˌbʌstɚ/USA pronunciation n.
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Government
- [uncountable] the use of delaying tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure:Filibuster is likely if this bill reaches the Senate floor.
- [countable] an exceptionally long speech or other tactic used for this purpose:a long filibuster.
v.
- Governmentto delay, slow down, or prevent the passage of (legislation) by tactics such as long speeches: [no object]The senator was filibustering.[~ + object]The senators promised to filibuster that bill.
fil•i•bus•ter
(fil′ə bus′tər),USA pronunciation n.
v.i.
v.t.
fil′i•bus′ter•er, n.
fil′i•bus′ter•ism, n.
fil′i•bus′ter•ous, adj.
- Government[U.S. Politics.]
- 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.
- an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.
- a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.
- Government, Militaryan irregular military adventurer, esp. one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.
v.i.
- Government[U.S. Politics.]to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches.
- Governmentto act as an irregular military adventurer, esp. for revolutionary purposes.
v.t.
- Government[U.S. Politics.]to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches.
- Middle French flibustier, variant of fribustier; see freebooter
- Spanish filibustero
- 1580–90
fil′i•bus′ter•ism, n.
fil′i•bus′ter•ous, adj.
'filibusterer' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):