parliament

[ pahr-luh-muhntor, sometimes, pahrl-yuh- ]

noun

1. (usually initial capital letter) the legislature of Great Britain, historically the assembly of the three estates, now composed of Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal, forming together the House of Lords, and representatives of the counties, cities, boroughs, and universities, forming the House of Commons.
2. (usually initial capital letter) the legislature of certain British colonies and possessions.
3. a legislative body in any of various other countries.
4. French History. any of several high courts of justice in France before 1789.
5. a meeting or assembly for conference on public or national affairs.
6. Cards. fan-tan ( def 1 ).

parliament

¹

/ ˈpɑːləmənt /

noun

1. an assembly of the representatives of a political nation or people, often the supreme legislative authority
2. any legislative or deliberative assembly, conference, etc
3. Alsoparlement (in France before the Revolution) any of several high courts of justice in which royal decrees were registered

Parliament

²

/ ˈpɑːləmənt /

noun

1. the highest legislative authority in Britain, consisting of the House of Commons, which exercises effective power, the House of Lords, and the sovereign
2. a similar legislature in another country
3. the two chambers of a Parliament
4. the lower chamber of a Parliament
5. any of the assemblies of such a body created by a general election and royal summons and dissolved before the next election

parliament

1. An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. Parliaments began in the Middle Ages in struggles for power between kings and their people. Today, parliaments differ from other kinds of legislatures in one important way: some of the representatives in the parliament serve as government ministers , in charge of carrying out the laws that the parliament passes. Generally, a parliament is divided by political parties, and the representative who leads the strongest political party in the parliament becomes the nation's head of government . This leader is usually called the prime minister or premier . Typically, a different person — usually a king, queen, or president — is head of state , and this person's duties are usually more ceremonial than governmental.

Notes

The number of nations governed by parliaments has greatly increased in modern times.

Other Words From

• anti·parlia·ment adjective
• inter·parlia·ment adjective
• sub·parlia·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parliament¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English: “discourse, consultation, Parliament,” from Anglo-Latin parliamentum, alteration of Medieval Latin parlāmentum, from Old French parlement “a speaking, conference” ( parle, -ment ); replacing Middle English parlement, from Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of parliament¹

C13: from Anglo-Latin parliamentum, from Old French parlement, from parler to speak; see parley

Example Sentences

Parliament looks at measures to monitor toddlers for anti-Semitic speech.

From The Daily Beast

He may have been relieved to head for Westminster as a Member of Parliament on Oct. 1, 1386.

From The Daily Beast

A political leader told us parliament won't do anything unless people revolt.

From The Daily Beast

“Poroshenko said in the summer that he needed a new parliament and government to get things moving,” says Alexander.

From The Daily Beast

“Well we have a new parliament and there are no excuses left,” he says darkly.

From The Daily Beast

The parliament house and library of the British provinces, at Montreal, burned by a mob.

From Project Gutenberg

It was at this parliament that the famous acts against horse racing and deceitful gaming were passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Parliament of England ordered the Book of Sports to be burned by the common hangman.

From Project Gutenberg

A remnant of the long parliament assembled during the anarchy, and has been termed the rump.

From Project Gutenberg

An act of parliament passed, authorizing the East India company to export their own tea, duty 3d.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• court