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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

filibuster

/ˈfɪləˌbəstər/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:23
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What does filibuster mean?

noun

  1. A tactic (such as giving long, often irrelevant speeches) employed to delay the proceedings of, or the making of a decision by, a legislative body, particularly the United States Senate.
  2. A member of a legislative body causing such an obstruction.

verb

  1. To take part in a private military action in a foreign country.
More meanings (2)

verb

  1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.

noun

  1. (historical) A mercenary soldier; a freebooter; specifically, a mercenary who travelled illegally in an organized group from the United States to a country in Central America or the Spanish West Indies in the mid-19th century seeking economic and political benefits through armed force.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈfɪləˌbəstər/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈfɪləbʌstɚ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

In September I see the bold filibuster flying from clump to clump of the pink heather pillaged by the Bee.
Jean-Henri FabreMore Hunting WaspsTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #3462
The ant, that "ardent filibuster, comes first, and commences to dissect it piecemeal."
Georges Victor LegrosFabre, Poet of ScienceTranslated by Bernard MiallProject Gutenberg ebook #3489