quo warranto
noun
quo war·ran·to
ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō 
-ˈran-
-ˈran-
-ˈwȯr-ən-ˌtō,
-ˈwär-
1
a
: an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty
b
: a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2
: the legal action begun by a quo warranto
Examples of quo warranto in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To file a quo warranto lawsuit, which challenges whether someone is lawfully entitled to their office, against Keefer, the plaintiffs needed the attorney general’s permission.
—
Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 14 May 2024
Bailey’s four quo warranto cases are each distinct.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday filed a petition for quo warranto – essentially a lawsuit seeking Childers removal – in Ray County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
DeSantis has appointed five of the seven justices; in over a dozen cases, the court has never issued a writ of quo warranto, Wallach said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
These are petitions in equity in the nature of quo warranto, which came before the Supreme Court for oral argument on April 13, 2023.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023
In the wake of the incident, Bailey filed a petition quo warranto, the legal mechanism under state statute that allows the attorney general to remove a prosecutor who neglects the job's duties.
—Aaron Kliegman, Fox News, 4 May 2023
The complaint asks Kaul to remedy the situation through a quo warranto action, or a challenge to Prehn's right to remain on the board after his term expired.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021
This quo warranto business may feel airy and academic.
—Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine, 15 Feb. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 14 May 2024
Bailey’s four quo warranto cases are each distinct.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday filed a petition for quo warranto – essentially a lawsuit seeking Childers removal – in Ray County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
DeSantis has appointed five of the seven justices; in over a dozen cases, the court has never issued a writ of quo warranto, Wallach said.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
These are petitions in equity in the nature of quo warranto, which came before the Supreme Court for oral argument on April 13, 2023.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023
In the wake of the incident, Bailey filed a petition quo warranto, the legal mechanism under state statute that allows the attorney general to remove a prosecutor who neglects the job's duties.
—Aaron Kliegman, Fox News, 4 May 2023
The complaint asks Kaul to remedy the situation through a quo warranto action, or a challenge to Prehn's right to remain on the board after his term expired.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021
This quo warranto business may feel airy and academic.
—Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine, 15 Feb. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near quo warranto
Cite this Entry
“Quo warranto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quo%20warranto. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
quo warranto
noun
quo war·ran·to
ˈkwō-wə-ˈran-tō, -ˈrän-
1
: an extraordinary writ requiring a person or corporation to show by what right or authority a public office or franchise is held or exercised
2
: a proceeding in the nature of a writ of quo warranto for determining by what authority or right an office or franchise is held or exercised and seeking as an extraordinary remedy the discontinuance of an unlawful exercise of office or franchise
Etymology
Medieval Latin, by what warrant; from the wording of the writ
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share