parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt 

also

ˈpärl-yə- 

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

Synonyms

• legislature
• congress

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

Jemima’s younger brother Zac Goldsmith is a former member of parliament and government minister, and a member of the House of Lords. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2025

Even the Green Party, which has just four seats in parliament, is now neck-and-neck with Labour. —Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025

The clash of views and the depth of the politics involved was further underlined by Ayoub Khan, a member of parliament for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, signing a petition calling for the game to be called off, staged in a neutral country or held without an away crowd. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Removing a royal title would require an act of parliament, but the move could receive support from the government and the public with King Charles' backing, the outlet reports. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing parliament

• hung parliament

Kids Definition

parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt 

also

ˈpärl-yə- 

: 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- 

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