Vetting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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vetting
[ˈvɛtɪŋ ]
Definition
process review
Vetting is the process of thoroughly checking and evaluating someone or something in order to ensure that they meet specific criteria or standards. This can involve background checks, assessments of qualifications, and interviews. Often used in security, hiring, and political contexts, vetting aims to mitigate potential risks by confirming the integrity, reliability, and suitability of candidates or proposals. It is a critical step in decision-making processes to ensure that informed risks are taken.
Synonyms
assessment, evaluation, screening.
Examples of usage
- The company is vetting candidates for the new management position.
- Before signing the contract, we need to do some vetting of the supplier.
- The vetting process for government officials can take several months.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Political Context
- In modern politics, vetting is a critical step for candidates during elections, as parties assess qualifications and backgrounds to avoid scandals.
- Political figures in the U.S. undergo extensive vetting before appointments to ensure their past aligns with public expectations and values.
- Vetting can also involve background checks, ensuring safety and integrity in governmental roles.
Business and Employment
- Companies often implement a vetting process during hiring, evaluating resumes and conducting interviews to find the right fit.
- Vetting potential vendors or partners is essential for businesses to mitigate risks and ensure quality in services or products.
- Startups may seek to vet investors carefully to ensure alignment in vision and ethics before accepting funding.
Security
- In national security, vetting is crucial for personnel working in sensitive areas, ensuring they meet required standards and do not pose security risks.
- Many organizations conduct vetting processes for access to sensitive information or facilities, utilizing background checks and interviews.
- Vetting helps prevent security breaches by identifying potential threats before they can impact operations.
Media and Information
- Journalists vet sources to confirm their credibility before including them in stories to uphold accuracy in reporting.
- In the age of misinformation, vetting facts before sharing is crucial to ensure that news and content are reliable and trustworthy.
- Social media platforms often have mechanism for vetting content to minimize the spread of false information.
Origin of 'vetting'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the word 'vet,' which is short for 'veterinarian.' It refers to the thorough examination that vets perform on animals.
- Originally derived from the Latin word 'vetus,' meaning 'old,' suggesting that the process has ancient roots in making informed decisions.
- In the 20th century, the term began to be widely used in contexts beyond animal care, extending to people and information.
The term 'vetting' originates from the early 20th century and is derived from the noun 'vet', which itself comes from the word 'veteran'. The word 'veteran' is originally from the Latin 'veteranus', meaning 'old' or 'experienced', typically in a military context. Over time, the use of 'vet' transitioned to refer to the process of examination, as one would vet an applicant or a proposal. The concept of vetting has become increasingly important in various sectors, including government, business, and security, reflecting societal needs for thoroughness and diligence in evaluating personnel, information, and processes. In politics and media, vetting has also come to signify the process of fact-checking and scrutinizing public figures before they assume positions of responsibility or before their information is disseminated publicly.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #31,390 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
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