parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt How to pronounce parliament (audio)
also
ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
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 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 So the ceremonies, ribbon-cuttings — and possibly even the opening of a new parliament next fall — will fall on the shoulders of an ever-smaller group of working royals, for the coming months at least. Lauren Frayer, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024 But former British colonies in Africa tend to have stronger parliaments and judicial systems that limit presidents’ powers. Ruth MacLean, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 But supporters cheered outside of parliament after the vote was announced. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024 Far from parliament’s public stage, deeply personal debates are also playing out within communities and families across the country, often among women and sometimes exposing sharp generational divides. Ramatoulie Jawo, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 Over in Pagrati just a stroll away from the National Gardens and Athens’ houses of parliament in Syntagma Square, Akra has become the restaurant of the moment with much of the Athenian crowd, and for good reason. Anastasia Miari, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2024 Both houses of parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, had already separately adopted a bill — as required — to amend Article 34 of the French Constitution. Barbara Surk, Fortune Europe, 4 Mar. 2024 Zelensky’s inability to forge a political consensus on a mobilization strategy — despite months of warnings about a severe shortage of qualified troops on the front — has fueled deep divisions in Ukraine’s parliament and more broadly in Ukrainian society. Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parliament.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of parliament was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near parliament

Cite this Entry

“Parliament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliament. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parliament

noun
par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt How to pronounce parliament (audio)
also
ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
: 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- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
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

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