Bundesrat

[ boon-duhs-raht; German boon-duhs-raht ]

noun

1. the upper house of the federal legislature of Germany.
2. the federal council of Switzerland and of Austria.

Bundesrat

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bundesrat¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bundesrat¹

C19: German, from Bund federation + Rat council

Example Sentences

Lippe has one vote in the German Reichstag, and also one vote in the Bundesrat, or federal council.

From Project Gutenberg

Bavaria is represented in the Bundesrat by six votes and sends forty-eight deputies to the imperial diet.

From Project Gutenberg

A number of these kings and princelings, combining in the Bundesrat, can outvote the powerful king of Prussia.

From Project Gutenberg

In reality he does not possess the powers of our President, but it is the Bundesrat as a whole which exercises the powers.

From Project Gutenberg

The President of the Swiss Bundesrat shall be requested to nominate the umpire.

From Project Gutenberg