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

State elections in Germany are important bellwethers for the public mood and to determine the distribution of votes in the Bundesrat upper house of parliament.

From Reuters • Mar. 27, 2022

The Bundesrat, Germany’s upper chamber, would then take up the matter in April, meaning the earliest it could come into force would be a month later.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 9, 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

But not once has it happened that the German majority in the Bundesrat has dared to oppose any important measure initiated by the Prussian Government.

From German Problems and Personalities by Saroléa, Charles