nullification

[ nuhl-uh-fi-key-shuh n ]
/ ˌnʌl ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

an act or instance of nullifying.
the state of being nullified.
(often initial capital letter) the failure or refusal of a U.S. state to aid in enforcement of federal laws within its limits, especially on Constitutional grounds.

Origin of nullification

1620–30; < Late Latin nūllificātiōn- (stem of nūllificātiō) contempt, equivalent to nūllificāt(us) (past participle of nūllificāre to despise) + -iōn- -ion. See nullify

OTHER WORDS FROM nullification

nul·li·fi·ca·tion·ist, nul·li·fi·ca·tor, noun non·nul·li·fi·ca·tion, noun re·nul·li·fi·ca·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for nullification

Cultural definitions for nullification

nullification

The doctrine that states can set aside federal laws. Urged in the late 1820s by John C. Calhoun, nullification precipitated a crisis between Calhoun and President Andrew Jackson. The doctrine was foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Kentucky Resolutions. (See Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.)