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

He told CNN the committee would consider releasing it publicly or sending it directly to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but it remains uncertain whether it will leave the committee at all.

From BBC

Dean Florez, a member of the California Air Resources Board, is a former California Senate majority leader.

From Los Angeles Times

John Boozman, Arkansas Republican and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, echoed this point on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From Salon

The mere threat of that — of publicly and explicitly neutering the Senate — could be enough for the GOP caucus to get in line.

From Salon

Biden has since named several more nominees in hopes that they would pass the Senate hurdle before the chamber switches to GOP control on Jan. 3, 2025.

From Salon

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament