unicameral
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unicameral
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Explanation
Use the adjective unicameral to describe a government with only one legislative house or chamber. The Parliament of Finland, for example, is unicameral. Some governments are split into two houses — these are called bicameral legislatures. When there is only one house, usually because the government is small or the country is homogeneous, it's called unicameral. Having a unicameral government is simpler and more straightforward, while a bicameral legislature can represent more diverse groups. The word unicameral has two Latin roots, uni, which means "one," and camera, "chamber."
Vocabulary lists containing unicameral
Power Prefix: uni-
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The Beginnings of American Government
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: uni-
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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.
The unicameral National Assembly unanimously backed the mining law on its second reading, assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez announced.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Stefanik spoke at the Knesset, Israel's unicameral legislature, at the invitation of Speaker Amir Ohana, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition.
From Salon • May 20, 2024
The reform, announced last week by President Nayib Bukele in an address marking four years in government, cuts the unicameral Congress' size from 84 lawmakers to 60.
From Reuters • Jun. 7, 2023
Mr. Buffet was not the only high-profile American whose name was aired during Monday’s hearing in the Yuan, Taiwan’s unicameral legislature.
From Washington Times • May 9, 2023
This kingdom possesses its own organs of government, including a unicameral diet which exercises independent legislative power in all internal affairs.
From The Governments of Europe by Ogg, Frederic Austin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
