ways and meanspl.n.1. Methods and resources available to accomplish an end, especially to meet expenses.2. Methods and means, especially legislation, for raising revenue needed by a government.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.ways and means pl n 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the revenues and methods of raising the revenues needed for the functioning of a state or other political unit 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (usually capital) a standing committee of the US House of Representatives that supervises all financial legislation 3. the methods and resources for accomplishing some purpose Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014ways? and means? n.pl. 1. legislation and other methods for raising revenue for the use of the government. 2. methods and means of accomplishing or paying for something. [1400?50] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.