bicameral
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- bicameralism noun
- bicameralist noun
Etymology
Origin of bicameral
First recorded in 1825–35; bi- 1 + Latin camer(a) “vault, arched roof” + -al 1. See chamber
Compare meaning
How does bicameral compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If your committee has two distinct groups responsible for setting rules and developing policies, then you’re involved in a bicameral system, meaning that there are two separate branches making up the system. You’ve probably noticed the prefix bi- and know that it’s a tip-off that this word is likely going to describe something that has two parts. You’re right. The word bicameral originates from the Latin bi-, meaning "two," combined with camera, meaning "chamber." Chamber is just another way of referring to a legislative branch of a government or other official organization. You’re probably already familiar with one famous bicameral system: the U.S. Congress, which is made up of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Vocabulary lists containing bicameral
U.S. Government Lingo
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It Takes Two: Bi
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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.
The bipartisan, bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China, where we serve as chair and ranking member, has worked to expose this threat.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
These include expanding parliament into a bicameral system, with a new 100‑seat upper house allocated according to each party's share of the national vote.
From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026
It’s not obvious, after all, that we need a bicameral legislature in the first place.
From Slate • Aug. 12, 2025
“I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, bicameral and utterly fantastic bill,” said Representative Lloyd K. Smucker, Republican of Pennsylvania.
From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2023
In addition the bicameral house is cumbersome and provocative of delay.
From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.
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.
