What does a veto mean?

A veto refers to the formal rejection of a proposed legislation or decision by a governing authority, often a chief executive like a governor or president. In the context of the Missouri Constitution, when the governor vetoes a bill, they are exercising their power to refuse to sign the bill into law, which effectively prevents the legislation from taking effect unless there is a sufficient legislative override. This action serves as a check on legislative power, ensuring that not all proposed laws automatically become law without the executive's agreement.

The other options suggest different actions. Approving a bill would indicate the act of signing it into law, amending a bill involves making changes to its provisions, and delaying a decision would mean postponing any action or judgment related to the bill rather than outright rejecting it. All these actions differ fundamentally from the act of vetoing, which unequivocally means rejecting a decision or proposed law.