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 usually 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 meets
3 : 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