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

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing parliament Learn More About parliament

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 Zelensky also spoke via video Tuesday to the Slovakian parliament. — Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2022 The document enshrined for the first time in writing the idea that the executive branch of government (sorry for the anachronism) was forced to yield to what amounted to the first parliament. — Roger Valdez, Forbes, 2 May 2022 He was first elected to parliament in 1999, according to the British Virgin Islands. — Allison Prang, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022 On May 9, Macron is expected to make a speech on Europe in Strasbourg, home to the EU parliament. — Sylvie Corbet, ajc, 25 Apr. 2022 Speaking in a video address to South Korea's parliament, Zelenskyy warned that the death toll in Mariupol, which has faced weeks of relentless shelling from Russian forces, could be much higher than previously thought. — NBC News, 11 Apr. 2022 Finland's government expects to submit a national security analysis, which could lead to a NATO membership process, to the country's parliament by mid-April, Reuters reported Monday. — Grayson Quay, The Week, 4 Apr. 2022 Along with the election to parliament, a referendum on LGBTQ issues was being held Sunday. — Justin Spike, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2022 Along with the election to parliament, a referendum on LGBTQ issues was being held Sunday. — Justin Spike, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2022 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near parliament

parley-voo

parliament

parliamental

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Last Updated

22 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Parliament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliament. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for parliament

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