Definition of "filibuster" in English

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.

2. (US politics) 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.

3. (US politics) A member of a legislative body causing such an obstruction.

verb

1. To take part in a private military action in a foreign country.

2. (originally and chiefly US politics, intransitive, transitive) To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.