lower house

American

[loh-er] / ˈloʊ ər /

noun

one of two branches of a legislature, generally more representative and with more members than the upper branch.

lower house British

noun

Also called: lower chamber. one of the two houses of a bicameral legislature: usually the larger and more representative house Compare upper house

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lower house

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

lower house

Despite the disruptions, the government introduced legislation in the lower house seeking tougher penalties for examination paper leaks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

The bill cleared the lower house last week, and will move through the final legal procedures before the changes take effect.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Lawmakers in the lower house voted overwhelmingly against him, but enough Senators backed his appointment for it to be approved.

From Barron's ● May 20, 2026

One Nation has never won a federal lower house contest.

From BBC ● May 8, 2026

The charter provided for a governor, deputy-governor, and secretary, to be appointed by the crown; a council of twenty-eight; and a lower house composed of freeholders, elected by the people.

From The Colonization of North America 1492-1783 by Bolton, Herbert Eugene

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023