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
At its core, the idea of an independent central bank is incompatible with the constitutional principles of checks and balances.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The presidency, often described as the most powerful office in the world, remains tethered to a system of checks and balances designed to prevent overreach.
—Casey Burgat, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Moreover, all democracies, such as the enduring one that powers this nation, rely for their checks and balances on an engaged opposition.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Until these reforms happen, presidents will continue to exercise one of their most sweeping powers with no checks and balances.
—Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 17 Jan. 2025
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Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The presidency, often described as the most powerful office in the world, remains tethered to a system of checks and balances designed to prevent overreach.
—Casey Burgat, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
Moreover, all democracies, such as the enduring one that powers this nation, rely for their checks and balances on an engaged opposition.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Until these reforms happen, presidents will continue to exercise one of their most sweeping powers with no checks and balances.
—Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 17 Jan. 2025
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 10 Feb. 2025.
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