House of Representatives

American  

noun

1. the lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies, as in the United States, Mexico, and Japan. H.R., HR

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House of Representatives British  

noun

1. (in the US) the lower chamber of Congress

2. (in Australia) the lower chamber of Parliament

3. the sole chamber of New Zealand's Parliament: formerly the lower chamber

4. (in the US) the lower chamber in many state legislatures

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House of Representatives Cultural  

1. The lower house of the United States Congress. With 435 popularly elected officials, the House (as it is often called) is the most representative body in the federal government. House seats are apportioned (see apportionment) relative to each state's population. Because of its larger size, the House tends to maintain a closer link to local constituent concerns than the Senate, though both houses of Congress participate in virtually all aspects of legislation and policymaking. The Speaker of the House is one of the most influential officials in Washington, D.C., and is second in succession to the presidency, after the vice president.

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Example Sentences

If passed, it will then head to the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for signature.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The result then was an Alabama state voting map that favored five Republicans and two Democrats for the House of Representatives.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

In 2023 he was impeached by the Republican-led state House of Representatives on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction of justice.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Fleming, meanwhile, hasn’t had much to spend, and has always been somewhat of a gadfly going back to his years in the House of Representatives.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

On August 18, 1920, members of the Tennessee House of Representatives gathered in their chamber to vote on the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament