parliamentarian

noun

par·​lia·​men·​tar·​i·​an ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce parliamentarian (audio)
-mən-
also ˌpärl-yə-
1
often Parliamentarian : 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

Examples of parliamentarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Senate parliamentarian could also rule that the House resolution and related maneuvers were against Congressional rules. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 21 Jan. 2026 One challenge of the reconciliation process is that the Senate parliamentarian often rules some measures in a reconciliation package to be out of order if not in compliance with the Byrd Rule, which requires reconciliation legislation to be related to budget or tax. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026 He was also disturbed by the 2016 murder of Labour parliamentarian Jo Cox by a far-right figure associated with neo-Nazi groups who had been radicalized online. Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026 Council members Mary Brown, D-3rd; Barnes Caldwell; Darren Washington, D-at large; Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large; and Dwight Williams, D-6th, all voted for the former parliamentarian. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parliamentarian

Word History

Etymology

parliament + -arian

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parliamentarian was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parliamentarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliamentarian. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

parliamentarian

noun
par·​lia·​men·​tar·​i·​an ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce parliamentarian (audio)
-mən-
also ˌpärl-yə-
: an expert in parliamentary procedure

Legal Definition

parliamentarian

noun
par·​lia·​men·​tar·​i·​an ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈtar-ē-ən, ˌpärl-yə-, -mən- How to pronounce parliamentarian (audio)
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
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