parliament

par·lia·ment

noun \ˈpär-lə-mənt also ˈpärl-yə-\

Definition of PARLIAMENT

1

: a formal conference for the discussion of public affairs; specifically : a council of state in early medieval England

2

a : an assemblage of the nobility, clergy, and commons called together by the British sovereign as the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom b : a similar assemblage in another nation or state

3

a : the supreme legislative body of a usually major political unit that is a continuing institution comprising a series of individual assemblages b : the British House of Commons

4

: one of several principal courts of justice existing in France before the Revolution of 1789

Examples of PARLIAMENT

1. The parliament has authority over the armed forces.
2. The issue was debated in Parliament.
3. The law was passed in the present parliament.

Origin of PARLIAMENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French parlement, from parler

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PARLIAMENT

Synonyms: congress

Related Words: assembly, chamber, council, diet, house, legislative, legislature; general assembly, legislative assembly

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Other Government and Politics Terms

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