senate
noun
an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
senate
American
[sen-it]
/ ˈsɛn ɪt /
noun
-
senates
plural
-
an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
-
(initial capital letter) the upper house of the legislature of certain countries, as the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Republic of South Africa, Australia, and some Latin American countries.
-
the room or building in which such a group meets.
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Roman History. the supreme council of state, the membership and functions of which varied at different periods.
-
a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body, as in certain universities.
Senate
1
British
/ ˈsɛnɪt /
noun
-
the upper chamber of the legislatures of the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries
-
the legislative council of ancient Rome. Originally the council of the kings, the Senate became the highest legislative, judicial, and religious authority in republican Rome
-
the ruling body of certain free cities in medieval and modern Europe
senate
2
British
/ ˈsɛnɪt /
noun
-
any legislative or governing body considered to resemble a Senate
-
the main governing body at some colleges and universities
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of senate
1175–1225; Middle English senat < Latin senātus council of elders, equivalent to sen ( ex ) old + -ātus -ate 3
Explanation
When a government is split into two houses, or assemblies, one of them — the "upper house" — is called a senate. The main job of most senates is to take a second look at legislation after it's been passed by the lower house. The idea of a senate as a legislative assembly goes back to the founding of Rome, around 750 B.C.E., with the word taken from the Latin senatus, meaning "highest council." That word, then, is thought to come from senex, meaning "old man," in this case probably meant as a form of respect for wisdom. The word later grew to include national government, and the United States took the word in 1775 to refer to the upper level of the legislature. Today, you can get elected to a senate even if you're not an old man.
Vocabulary lists containing senate
Ancient Rome - Introductory
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Canada - Middle School and High School
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South Asia - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But she has been helped by controversy on the other side of the aisle involving Graham Platner, who was ultimately replaced as the Democratic nominee by Jackson, a former president of the Maine state senate.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Last month, the state canceled the remaining $250 million—after a 35-4 senate vote in the opposite direction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
The blonde executive assistant to the president was then mentioned by a Democratic senate hopeful, in comments that set the internet alight -- and incensed the White House.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
The senate said it will convene a work group to meet over the next year to look at the issue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
In need of advice, he called his old senate colleague Everett Dirksen, a Republican from Illinois.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are at stake, along with governorships in 36 states.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
Senate, and, in between, take a trip into space that would galvanize the American spirit—the idea of that feels bracing and fine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
He served in the state House and Senate before becoming the chief legal officer in Texas.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
The Senate contest in Florida, several House races in New York, and the gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin all got heated.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
On August 13, after a number of long speeches, the Senate approved ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment by a vote of 25 to 4.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Since news of the deal broke, he said he has met with the system chancellors, provosts, program directors and faculty senates about the acquisition.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 31, 2023
State senates range in size from twenty members in Alaska to sixty-seven members in Minnesota.
From Textbooks ● Jul. 28, 2021
The Missouri and North Carolina senates currently are the only chambers offering just audio, which can make it difficult for listeners to recognize the speakers.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 14, 2021
The animosity has spread to the 50 statehouses and the 7,382 people who serve in the houses and senates there.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2012
The art of oratory may soon be held to be almost a doubtful boon—at any rate, so far as senates and parliaments are concerned.
From Cities of the Dawn by J. Ewing (James Ewing) Ritchie
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