Main Entry:

sen·ate

Pronunciation:

\ˈse-nət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English senat, from Anglo-French, from Latin senatus, from sen-, senex old, old man — more at senior

Date:

13th century

1: an assembly or council usu. possessing high deliberative and legislative functions: as a: the supreme council of the ancient Roman republic and empire b: the second chamber in the bicameral legislature of a major political unit (as a nation, state, or province) 2: the hall or chamber in which a senate meets3: a governing body of some universities charged with maintaining academic standards and regulations and usually composed of the principal or representative members of the faculty