bicameral

American  

[bahy-kam-er-uhl] / baɪˈkæm ər əl /

adjective

Government.

1. having two branches, chambers, or houses, as a legislative body.

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bicameral British  

/ baɪˈkæmərəl /

adjective

1. (of a legislature) consisting of two chambers

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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:

• unicameral vs. bicameral

Example Sentences

“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

Each has its own government, parliament and police, but the two are linked by shared, state-wide institutions, including the three-person presidency and the bicameral national parliament.

From Seattle Times

Thailand's bicameral parliament has been deadlocked for weeks on the formation of a new government after a May 14 election dominated by two former opposition parties, winners Move Forward and second placed Pheu Thai.

From Reuters

One measure, introduced in 2018 in Mexico’s bicameral legislature, passed last year in one chamber and is now sitting in the other.

From Los Angeles Times

The Italian Parliament also is poised to open a bicameral commission of inquiry in hopes of finally solving one of the Vatican’s enduring mysteries and bringing closure to the Orlandi family.

From Washington Times