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bencher

American  
[ben-cher] / ˈbɛn tʃər /

noun

  1. (in England)

    1. a senior member of an Inn of Court.

    2. a member of the House of Commons.

  2. a person who handles an oar; rower.


bencher British  
/ ˈbɛntʃə /

noun

  1. a member of the governing body of one of the Inns of Court, usually a judge or a Queen's Counsel

  2. See backbencher

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bencher

First recorded in 1525–35; bench + -er 1

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:

It is difficult to overstate the shift in Mr. Johnson’s fortunes from a year ago, when he was briefly a back bencher.

From New York Times Dec. 12, 2019

Over the next 32 years, he rose from state delegate to state senator, from back bencher to committee chairman to majority floor leader.

From Washington Post Mar. 15, 2019

Meadows, serving in just his third term, served as a genial GOP back bencher for his first few years in the House.

From Seattle Times Dec. 5, 2017

For politicians election night is a never-ending thrill ride where the direction of a swingometer can leave a long-standing back bencher in tears and even the most experienced pollster in a state of shock.

From BBC Jun. 7, 2017

He was called to the bar in 1875, became a bencher of Gray’s Inn in 1896, and was treasurer in 1903-1904.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various

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