select committee

American  

noun

1. a committee, as of a legislative body, that is formed to examine and report on a specific bill or issue.

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select committee British  

noun

1. (in Britain) a small committee composed of members of parliament, set up by either House of Parliament to investigate and report back on a specified matter of interest

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Etymology

Origin of select committee

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

Labour MP Alex McIntyre, who sits on the Commons Health and Social Care select committee, defended Palantir's involvement in NHS contracts.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Since the beginning of the year, she has organized two select committee hearings under the general banner of “housing construction innovation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Patterson has played a prominent role in Fujitsu's response to the Horizon scandal, representing the company at the public inquiry into the affair, and at House of Commons select committee hearings.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

Earlier this month, West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford was called to give evidence to the home affairs select committee for a second time.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The matter was referred to a select committee, on whose recommendation a Royal Commission was appointed to take evidence in England.

From Our First Half-Century: A Review of Queensland Progress Based Upon Official Information by Queensland

Related Words

• panel