parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt 

also

ˈpärl-yə- 

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

Synonyms of parliament

• legislature
• congress

Examples of parliament in a Sentence

The parliament has authority over the armed forces.

The issue was debated in Parliament.

The law was passed in the present parliament.

Recent Examples on the Web

Incoming members of parliament are slated to take their oaths next month, and it is expected that Prime Minister-designate Peter Magyar will push for the legislature to address the anti-LGBT laws immediately. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026

Ghalibaf, the country’s long-serving parliament speaker, led the first round of negotiations with the US in Islamabad and was expected to attend opposite Vice President JD Vance for a second round of talks that were first delayed, then postponed indefinitely. —Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026

Experts from Europe’s main democracy and constitutional affairs body, the Venice Commission, visited Serbia last month for talks with political leaders and top court and legal officials to assess concerns raised by the president of Serbia’s parliament. —ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026

Iranian sources also told CNN that a delegation from that country, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will touch down in Pakistan on Tuesday. —Max Rego, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parlement, parliament "discourse, conversation, conference, assembly, assembly of the lay and ecclesiastical aristocracy, the Parliament of England or Ireland," borrowed from Anglo-French, from parler "to speak" + -ment -ment — more at parley entry 2

Note: The Anglo-French word was Latinized as parlamentum or parliamentum by the early 13th century. The source of forms with internal -ia- is uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, compares Latin amerciamentum, merciamentum "discretionary penalty or fine" (beside Anglo-French amercement, mercement; see amerce) and maniamentum "possession, administration" (Anglo-French maniement).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parliament

• hung parliament

Kids Definition

parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt 

also

ˈpärl-yə- 

: the supreme legislative body of various political units

the British parliament

Etymology

Middle English parliament "a council for discussing government business," from early French parlement (same meaning), from parler "to speak" — related to parley, parlor see Word History at parlor

Legal Definition

parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt, ˈpärl-yə- 

1

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

2

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

Etymology

Anglo-French parlement conference, council, parliament, from parler to speak