House of Representatives

American  

noun

1. the lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies, as in the United States, Mexico, and Japan. H.R., HR

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House of Representatives British  

noun

1. (in the US) the lower chamber of Congress

2. (in Australia) the lower chamber of Parliament

3. the sole chamber of New Zealand's Parliament: formerly the lower chamber

4. (in the US) the lower chamber in many state legislatures

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House of Representatives Cultural  

1. The lower house of the United States Congress. With 435 popularly elected officials, the House (as it is often called) is the most representative body in the federal government. House seats are apportioned (see apportionment) relative to each state's population. Because of its larger size, the House tends to maintain a closer link to local constituent concerns than the Senate, though both houses of Congress participate in virtually all aspects of legislation and policymaking. The Speaker of the House is one of the most influential officials in Washington, D.C., and is second in succession to the presidency, after the vice president.

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Example Sentences

Fishing for my press badge, I spotted a trio of anti-Trump protesters holding handmade signs outside an entrance to the House of Representatives.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

The result then was an Alabama state voting map that favored five Republicans and two Democrats for the House of Representatives.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Interest in the "missing scientists" reached such a fever pitch that the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee and the FBI announced investigations into the cases.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

In 2023 he was impeached by the Republican-led state House of Representatives on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction of justice.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

It was up to the House of Representatives to decide the issue.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament