parliament

American  

[pahr-luh-muhnt, pahrl-yuh-] / ˈpɑr lə mənt, ˈpɑrl yə- /

Obsolete, parlement

noun

1. (usually initial capital letter) the legislature of Great Britain, historically the assembly of the three estates, now composed of Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal, forming together the House of Lords, and representatives of the counties, cities, boroughs, and universities, forming the House of Commons.

2. (usually initial capital letter) the legislature of certain British colonies and possessions.

3. a legislative body in any of various other countries.

4. French History. any of several high courts of justice in France before 1789.

5. a meeting or assembly for conference on public or national affairs.

6. Cards. fan-tan.

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Parliament ¹ British  

/ ˈpɑːləmənt /

noun

1. the highest legislative authority in Britain, consisting of the House of Commons, which exercises effective power, the House of Lords, and the sovereign

2. a similar legislature in another country

3. the two chambers of a Parliament

4. the lower chamber of a Parliament

5. any of the assemblies of such a body created by a general election and royal summons and dissolved before the next election

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parliament ² British  

/ ˈpɑːləmənt /

noun

1. an assembly of the representatives of a political nation or people, often the supreme legislative authority

2. any legislative or deliberative assembly, conference, etc

3. Also: parlement.  (in France before the Revolution) any of several high courts of justice in which royal decrees were registered

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parliament Cultural  

1. An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. Parliaments began in the Middle Ages in struggles for power between kings and their people. Today, parliaments differ from other kinds of legislatures in one important way: some of the representatives in the parliament serve as government ministers, in charge of carrying out the laws that the parliament passes. Generally, a parliament is divided by political parties, and the representative who leads the strongest political party in the parliament becomes the nation's head of government. This leader is usually called the prime minister or premier. Typically, a different person — usually a king, queen, or president — is head of state, and this person's duties are usually more ceremonial than governmental.

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Discover More

The number of nations governed by parliaments has greatly increased in modern times.

Other Word Forms

• antiparliament adjective
• interparliament adjective
• subparliament noun

Etymology

Origin of parliament

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English: “discourse, consultation, Parliament,” from Anglo-Latin parliamentum, alteration of Medieval Latin parlāmentum, from Old French parlement “a speaking, conference” ( parle, -ment ); replacing Middle English parlement, from Old French

Explanation

In some countries — Great Britain for example — the group of people who make the laws is called the parliament. It's the equivalent of Congress in the United States. The most common meaning of parliament refers to a country's legislative (law-making) body. England's parliament is very famous. The word comes in part from the French verb parler, which means to speak, which makes sense since this group of people assemble to talk about laws and issues. Another meaning of parliament is the card game known as fan tan or sevens, where you lead with your sevens in a certain sequence and win by using up all your cards.

Example Sentences

Instead, the party says it will aim to simplify the system by the end of the parliament, with any changes to put "low and middle income earners at their heart".

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

It is also unclear how seats will be chosen for women in the expanded parliament.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The European parliament struck a deal late Monday to cut the amount of tariff-free steel imports to 18.3 million metric tons a year and raise tariffs on imports above that quota to 50%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The government has a key target to be the fastest growing economy in the G7 by the end of this parliament.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

At this point another member of the kyorremy, the upper chamber or parliament that Estraven heads, pushes and squeezes a way up close to him and begins talking to him.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• court