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

But MP Chris Murray, who is a member of the Home Affairs select committee, has raised concerns that councils have not been instructed to keep paperwork as they should have been.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 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

This bill had been drafted during the latter part of 1863 by the select committee of nine, but it did not come before the House for consideration till March 22, 1864.

From The Struggle between President Johnson and Congress over Reconstruction by Chadsey, Charles Ernest

Related Words

• panel