Bundesrat

American  

[boon-duhs-raht, boon-duhs-raht] / ˈbʊn dəsˌrɑt, ˈbʊn dəsˌrɑt /

noun

1. the upper house of the federal legislature of Germany.

2. the federal council of Switzerland and of Austria.

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Bundesrat British  

/ ˈbʊndəsˌrɑːt /

noun

1. (in Germany and formerly in West Germany) the council of state ministers with certain legislative and administrative powers, representing the state governments at federal level

2. (in Austria) an assembly with some legislative power that represents state interests at the federal level

3. (in Switzerland) the executive council of the confederation

4. (in the German empire from 1871–1918) the council representing the governments of the constituent states, with administrative, judicial, and legislative powers

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Etymology

Origin of Bundesrat

1870–75; < German, equivalent to Bundes, genitive of Bund federation + Rat council

Example Sentences

However, state government representatives in the upper house, the Bundesrat, still need to approve the moves - also by a two-thirds majority - before they officially become law.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2025

The law still needs to pass Germany’s upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2022

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis addresses a news conference after a meeting of the Swiss government Bundesrat in Bern, Switzerland February 24, 2022.

From Reuters • Feb. 27, 2022

If the upper house, or Bundesrat, approves Friday’s bill, workers in health care facilities will need to show they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 by mid-March next year.

From Washington Times • Dec. 10, 2021

When the Imperial Constitution was framed it was thought that the Prussian representation was far too small, and the fear was repeatedly expressed that the Prussian vote in the Bundesrat would be overruled.

From German Problems and Personalities by Saroléa, Charles