parliament

noun

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par·lia·ment | \ 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

2a : 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

3a : 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

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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 Hamisi Kigwangalla is an outspoken CCM member of parliament and used his training as a doctor to underpin his pleas for greater transparency and action against the coronavirus under Magufuli. — Washington Post, "Tanzania’s new leader acknowledged the pandemic and promised more civil rights. Critics are unconvinced.," 7 Apr. 2021 There are also state elections taking place across the country for legislative assemblies, local bodies and both houses of parliament. — Jessie Yeung, CNN, "India reports new record of 103,558 daily Covid cases, as second wave and new lockdowns hit," 5 Apr. 2021 His father, a Nationalist Christian member of parliament, was exiled by the French. — BostonGlobe.com, "Abdul Aziz Said, American University professor of international relations, dies at 90," 3 Apr. 2021 Rutte's party won the most seats in last week's election for the lower house of parliament but will need to enlist other parties to gain a majority in the 150-seat legislature. — Mike Corder, Star Tribune, "Dutch coalition talks halted after COVID-19 case, notes slip," 25 Mar. 2021 The report states that Russia enlisted agents, including political consultant Konstantin Kilimnik and Ukrainian member of parliament Andrei Derkach, to insinuate themselves into Trump's inner circle and make connections with US media. — Andy Greenberg, Wired, "Foreign Meddling Flooded the 2020 Election—but Not Hackers," 16 Mar. 2021 The major changes to Hong Kong's electoral system were confirmed at China's annual meeting of parliament, the National People's Congress, which began on Friday. — Britt Clennett, ABC News, "China moves to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system in ‘great leap backwards’ for city’s democracy," 5 Mar. 2021 At least, that’s what Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch member of parliament who authored the resolution that passed on Thursday, told National Review. — Jimmy Quinn, National Review, "The West’s Belated Reckoning with China’s Crimes against Humanity," 2 Mar. 2021 These members of parliament and the senators then elect a president who serves a four-year term. — Stephen Kafeero, Quartz Africa, "These are the key African elections to watch in 2021," 13 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parliament.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for parliament

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).

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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Parliament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliament. Accessed 16 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for parliament

parliament

noun

English Language Learners Definition of parliament

: the group of people who are responsible for making the laws in some kinds of government

: a particular parliament especially : the parliament of the United Kingdom that includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords

: the period of time during which a parliament is working

See the full definition for parliament in the English Language Learners Dictionary

parliament

noun

par·lia·ment | \ ˈpär-lə-mənt

Kids Definition of parliament

: an assembly that is the highest legislative body of a country (as the United Kingdom)

parliament

noun

par·lia·ment | \ ˈpär-lə-mənt, ˈpärl-yə-

Legal Definition of parliament

1a : 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

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