branches of government

Cultural  

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.

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Example Sentences

In a statement given to police, Vorcaro said he had "friends in all branches of government."

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

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 • Sep. 12, 2025

It raises the question of, what role do the courts have if the other branches of government are able to just ignore it?

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

Generally speaking, when a party controls both branches of government they would have mapped out their legislative strategy long before they will have sworn in the new Congress.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025

Theresa had begun her internship; they had all studied up on the three branches of government, and so advanced from permanent residents to citizens.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen