senate

The word “senate” means the upper chamber in certain two-house legislatures. In plain terms, a formal governing or advisory body, most commonly the upper house of a parliament.

“Senate” is pronounced SEH-niht (/ˈsɛnət/ in IPA).

Here is “senate” used in a sentence: “The bill passed the senate by a narrow margin.”

“Senate” is a noun.

The word “senate” comes from Latin. From Latin senātus, "council of elders," from senex, "old" — the same root as "senior" and "senile.".

“Senate” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Senate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the upper chamber in certain two-house legislatures.

In a two-house legislature, the senate is usually the upper chamber and the house of representatives the lower. The senate often has fewer members, longer terms, and represents regions or states equally, while the lower house is typically larger and based on population. Both must generally agree to pass laws.

A parliament is an entire legislative body, which may contain one or two chambers. A senate is specifically the upper chamber within such a system. So a senate can be part of a parliament or congress, but the wider institution is the parliament, not the senate alone.

A senate acts as a chamber of review, scrutinising and refining legislation passed by the lower house. It often provides equal representation for states or regions, guards against hasty lawmaking, and adds a layer of deliberation. Its longer terms are meant to encourage stability and considered judgement.

It derives from the Latin senatus, meaning council of elders, rooted in senex, or old man. The Roman Senate was among the earliest such bodies, and its name reflects the idea that experienced, senior figures should guide governance. Many modern legislatures borrowed the term to signal that tradition.