upper house

American  

noun

1. one of two branches of a legislature generally smaller and less representative than the lower branch, as the Senate of the U.S. Congress.

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upper house British  

noun

1. Also called: upper chamber.  (often capitals) one of the two houses of a bicameral legislature Compare lower house

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Etymology

Origin of upper house

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Last October, Jeremy Buckingham, a member of NSW Legislative Council, the state's upper house, used parliamentary privilege to name the suspect.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Those include prime ministerial term limits, a new upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

Among the constitutional reforms envisaged are prime ministerial term limits, a directly elected upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and increased judicial independence.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Having a two-thirds majority enables the government to override decisions by the upper house where the coalition is in a minority.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Toombs is now about to leave the lower for the upper house.

From The Brothers' War by Reed, John Calvin