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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of bencher

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

Example Sentences

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

At my entrance into the room, they were naming a red petticoat and a cloak, by which I found that the bencher had been diverting them with a story of Jack Ogle.

From The Tatler, Volume 3 by Various