senator
Americannoun
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Often Senator a member of a senate.
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Senator, (in the United States) a title of respect accorded a person who is or has been a member of the Senate.
noun
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(often capital) a member of a Senate or senate
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any legislator or statesman
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of senator
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English senatour, from Anglo-French, from Latin senātor, equivalent to sen(ātus) “council of elders” + -ātor noun suffix; see senate, -ator
Explanation
A senator is a person who works in the government. In the United States, senators are elected by voters to represent them in a state or federal senate. Each state in the US elects two senators who serve six-year terms in Washington, DC, where they pass laws and vote on policies. Other countries have senators as well, either elected or appointed. The word senator has been used in English since around 1200, from the Latin word, senex, or "old man." This is especially appropriate when you know that men have far outnumbered women in the US senate and that the first female senator wasn't elected until 1932.
Vocabulary lists containing senator
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Civics I
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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.
"Neither my conscience nor common sense will allow me to stop an election that has already begun," Republican state Senator Richard Cash said in a statement carried by US media.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
His previous works include interviews and video stories featuring prominent political figures such as Senator Patty Murray, former Governor Steve Sisolak, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
We’re told that White House staffer James Braid, who worked for Mr. Vance when he was an Ohio Senator, is pressing Republicans to attach a version of the Veep’s Railway Safety Act.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
She noted that the co-chairs of the committee - Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski and Conservative Senator Yonah Martin - have both publicly voiced opposition to expanding MAID.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
Next to the governor is our Senator Whitworth, whose son Hilly’s been trying to set me up with on a blind date.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
