branches of government

1. The division of government into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. In the case of the federal government, the three branches were established by the Constitution. The executive branch consists of the president, the cabinet, and the various departments and executive agencies. The legislative branch consists of the two houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and their staff. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the other federal courts.

Example Sentences

All three branches of government are, at least in theory, in the hands of Republicans who believe that life begins the moment an egg is fertilized.

From Slate

But because the US has equal and often divided branches of government, that is not the case.

From BBC

While the news media is sometimes referred to as the fourth estate, alongside the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, few think of stand-up comedy as a pillar of democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

Voters can hold incumbents accountable in elections — political scientists call this “vertical accountability” — as can coequal branches of government, which we call “horizontal accountability.”

From Los Angeles Times

He recalls "coup-mongering" protesters invading three branches of government and committing "barbaric acts" in the Supreme Court, "symbolically attacking an institution fundamental to Brazilian democracy".

From BBC