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
Without a proper system of checks and balances where everyone is working together, the Hornets won’t be able to have any substantial sustainable development.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024
Critics said the legislative initiative, seen as an attempt to grant Mr. Netanyahu effective immunity from corruption charges that could land him in prison, would weaken the country’s democratic checks and balances.
—Shoshanna Solomon, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for checks and balances 
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024
Critics said the legislative initiative, seen as an attempt to grant Mr. Netanyahu effective immunity from corruption charges that could land him in prison, would weaken the country’s democratic checks and balances.
—Shoshanna Solomon, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for checks and balances
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'checks and balances.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share