senate

[ sen-it ]

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.

senate

¹

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. any legislative or governing body considered to resemble a Senate
2. the main governing body at some colleges and universities

Senate

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of senate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of senate¹

C13: from Latin senātus council of the elders, from senex an old man

Example Sentences

“This was the closest state senate race in the state, but unfortunately it appears that we will fall just short of victory,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

At a meeting of the university’s faculty senate in August 2023, just before new rankings were due out, Dr. Sasse posed a question: “What is the North Star of things we organize around?”

From New York Times

McCormick has run for a senate seat in Pennsylvania before, failing to make it out of the GOP primary in 2022 when he lost the nomination to Dr. Mehmet Oz.

From Salon

If Tuesday’s results hold, she will be the city’s first Filipino American council member, besting a Latino politician who has served as an assemblymember and leader of the state senate.

From Los Angeles Times

A key senate race will also be decided that could decide what party controls the upper chamber of Congress.

From BBC

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament