logrolling

[ lawg-roh-ling, log- ]
/ ˈlɔgˌroʊ lɪŋ, ˈlɒg- /

noun

U.S. Politics. the exchange of support or favors, especially by legislators for mutual political gain as by voting for each other's bills.
cronyism or mutual favoritism among writers, editors, or critics, as in the form of reciprocal flattering reviews; back scratching.
the action of rolling a log or logs to a particular place.
the action of rotating a log rapidly in the water by treading upon it, especially as a competitive sport; birling.

Origin of logrolling

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; log1 + rolling

Words nearby logrolling

Definition for logrolling (2 of 2)

logroll
[ lawg-rohl, log- ]
/ ˈlɔgˌroʊl, ˈlɒg- /
U.S. Politics.

verb (used with object)

to procure the passage of (a bill) by logrolling.

verb (used without object)

to engage in political logrolling.

Origin of logroll

1825–35, Americanism; back formation from logrolling

OTHER WORDS FROM logroll

log·roll·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for logrolling

  • These appropriations are secured by what you call in America ‘logrolling.’

    The Land of the Kangaroo |Thomas Wallace Knox
  • The state capital was moved to Springfield as a part of the give and take of logrolling.

    Children of the Market Place |Edgar Lee Masters

British Dictionary definitions for logrolling (1 of 2)

logrolling
/ (ˈlɒɡˌrəʊlɪŋ) /

noun

US the practice of undemocratic agreements between politicians involving mutual favours, the trading of votes, etc
another name for birling See birl 1

British Dictionary definitions for logrolling (2 of 2)

logroll
/ (ˈlɒɡˌrəʊl) /

verb

mainly US to use logrolling in order to procure the passage of (legislation)

Derived forms of logroll

logroller, noun

Cultural definitions for logrolling

logrolling

In politics, advance agreement by legislators to vote for one another's bills. Logrolling is most common when legislators are trying to secure votes for bills that will benefit their home districts. For example, a group of congressmen from the Middle West pushing for higher dairy prices and a group of southern congressmen supporting higher tobacco prices might make a logrolling agreement in order to get both bills passed.