standing committee

American  

noun

1. a permanent committee, as of a legislature, society, etc., intended to consider all matters pertaining to a designated subject.

2. (initial capital letters) the highest policymaking body of the Chinese Communist Party, composed of top party leaders from the Politburo.

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standing committee British  

noun

1. a permanent committee appointed to deal with a specified subject

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Etymology

Origin of standing committee

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Real influence lies within a smaller standing committee elected from congress delegates, which meets every couple of months.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Zhao, 65, is expected to serve as the head of the National People’s Congress and its standing committee which handles most actual legislative work.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2023

The parliament on Sunday also proposed amendments to a lawmaking procedure during an emergency that would allow its decision-making standing committee to skip multiple rounds of discussion before passing legislation.

From Washington Post • Mar. 5, 2023

China's politburo standing committee member Wang Huning met Taiwan's senior opposition leader Andrew Hsia, state television said on Friday.

From Reuters • Feb. 10, 2023

"George Cowels," said the accused, and there ran through the audience another murmur, the judge frowned, and the standing committee shifted back to the other foot.

From Snow on the Headlight A Story of the Great Burlington Strike by Warman, Cy