senate

American  

[sen-it] / ˈsɛn ɪt /

noun

1. an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.

2. (initial capital letter) the upper house of the legislature of certain countries, as the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Republic of South Africa, Australia, and some Latin American countries.

3. the room or building in which such a group meets.

4. Roman History. the supreme council of state, the membership and functions of which varied at different periods.

5. a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body, as in certain universities.

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Senate ¹ British  

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. the upper chamber of the legislatures of the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries

2. the legislative council of ancient Rome. Originally the council of the kings, the Senate became the highest legislative, judicial, and religious authority in republican Rome

3. the ruling body of certain free cities in medieval and modern Europe

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senate ² British  

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. any legislative or governing body considered to resemble a Senate

2. the main governing body at some colleges and universities

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Etymology

Origin of senate

1175–1225; Middle English senat < Latin senātus council of elders, equivalent to sen ( ex ) old + -ātus -ate ³

Example Sentences

In the past, they have defended these actions as reflecting the will of voters, with the senate president describing one key bill as balancing “appointment power between the legislative and executive branches.”

From Salon

Mexico’s senate approved a bill this week to raise tariffs to as high as 50% on cars, steel and other goods from Asian countries including China with which it lacks a trade agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal

An earlier faculty senate report noted the SAT and ACT “add substantially to UC’s ability to predict student success” beyond high school grades.

From The Wall Street Journal

Proceedings in the senate were halted as she refused to remove the item.

From BBC

“District 29 is a deeply red district that has not been represented in the state senate by a Democrat since the early part of the previous decade.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament