bicameral

[ bahy-kam-er-uhl ]

adjective

, Government.

1. having two branches, chambers, or houses, as a legislative body.

bicameral

/ baɪˈkæmərəl /

adjective

1. (of a legislature) consisting of two chambers

Derived Forms

• biˈcameralist, noun
• biˈcameralˌism, noun

Other Words From

• bi·camer·al·ism noun
• bi·camer·al·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicameral¹

First recorded in 1825–35; bi- ¹ + Latin camer(a) “vault, arched roof” + -al ¹. See chamber

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicameral¹

C19: from bi- ¹+ Latin camera chamber

Example Sentences

“I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, bicameral and utterly fantastic bill,” said Representative Lloyd K. Smucker, Republican of Pennsylvania.

From New York Times

Each has its own government, parliament and police, but the two are linked by shared, state-wide institutions, including the three-person presidency and the bicameral national parliament.

From Seattle Times

Thailand's bicameral parliament has been deadlocked for weeks on forming a government, after the anti-establishment election winner Move Forward succumbed to conservative resistance in parliament, leaving second-placed Pheu Thai to take up the effort.

From Reuters

Thailand's bicameral parliament has been deadlocked for weeks on the formation of a new government after a May 14 election dominated by two former opposition parties, winners Move Forward and second placed Pheu Thai.

From Reuters

One measure, introduced in 2018 in Mexico’s bicameral legislature, passed last year in one chamber and is now sitting in the other.

From Los Angeles Times