parliamentarian

noun par·lia·men·tar·i·an \ ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ē-ən , -mən- also ˌpärl-yə- \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of parliamentarian

1 often capitalized : an adherent of the parliament in opposition to the king during the English Civil War

2 : an expert in the rules and usages of a deliberative assembly (such as a parliament)

3 : a member of a parliament

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Recent Examples of parliamentarian from the Web

As a parliamentarian after South Africa's first all-race elections, she was convicted of fraud.

— Fox News, "Anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela dies," 2 Apr. 2018
Harris agreed and chose Democratic State Central Committee member Nathan Karnes to preside over the election for the chairman even though parliamentarian Leslie Mara said the bylaws allowed Harris to chair the meeting.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Don Harris Re-elected To Democratic Town Committee Post," 30 Mar. 2018
An international study of parliamentarians revealed in 2016 that intimidation and violence is undermining women’s efforts to achieve equality in governments worldwide.

— laurie penny, Longreads, "Who Does She Think She Is?," 29 Mar. 2018
Clay could seek to replace Biesecker with an attorney and parliamentarian who would send the issue to die in McQuillen's committee next month.

— james briggs, Indianapolis Star, "Stephen Clay went on a City-County Council firing spree that might save his presidency," 31 Jan. 2018
There were nine abstentions, and eleven parliamentarians didn't cast valid ballots.

— jefferson chase, USA TODAY, "Angela Merkel elected to fourth term as German chancellor," 14 Mar. 2018
Others see a risk that anti-EU transnational lists could do well, while some are also concerned the system would create two classes of EU parliamentarians.

— jaimy jones, Houston Chronicle, "Only 2 on Pasadena council still receive increased vehicle allowance," 13 Mar. 2018
Churchill certainly did bully and cajole his fellow parliamentarians into adopting his fighting spirit, and Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, did indeed want to keep open the channels of negotiation with Hitler.

— giles milton, Time, "One Important Difference Between Gary Oldman's Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour and the Real Prime Minister," 2 Mar. 2018
Others see a risk that anti-EU transnational lists could do well, while some are also concerned the system would create two classes of EU parliamentarians.

— jacob mcadams, Houston Chronicle, "Two positions up for election at COCISD," 5 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of parliamentarian

1642

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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PARLIAMENTARIAN Defined for English Language Learners

parliamentarian

noun

Definition of parliamentarian for English Language Learners

: a member of a parliament; especially : a member who knows a lot about the way things are done in a parliament

Law Dictionary

parliamentarian

noun par·lia·men·tar·i·an \ ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈtar-ē-ən, ˌpärl-yə-, -mən- \

legal Definition of parliamentarian

1 : an expert in the rules and usages of a parliament or other deliberative assembly; specifically, often capitalized : an officer of a legislative body acting as adviser on matters of procedure

Note: The parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representatives is appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Secretary of the Senate appoints the Senate's parliamentarian with approval of the majority leader.

2 : a member of a parliament