senate

[sen-it]

noun

1. an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.

2. (initial capital letter),  the upper house of the legislature of certain countries, as the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Republic of South Africa, Australia, and some Latin American countries.

3. the room or building in which such a group meets.

4. Roman History.,  the supreme council of state, the membership and functions of which varied at different periods.

5. a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body, as in certain universities.

Senate

¹

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. the upper chamber of the legislatures of the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries

2. the legislative council of ancient Rome. Originally the council of the kings, the Senate became the highest legislative, judicial, and religious authority in republican Rome

3. the ruling body of certain free cities in medieval and modern Europe

senate

²

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. any legislative or governing body considered to resemble a Senate

2. the main governing body at some colleges and universities

Word History and Origins

Origin of Senate¹

1175–1225; Middle English senat < Latin senātus council of elders, equivalent to sen ( ex ) old + -ātus -ate ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of Senate¹

C13: from Latin senātus council of the elders, from senex an old man

Example Sentences

A senate inquiry into the affair accused the government of a "deliberate strategy" of "dissimulation".

From BBC

The senate is the university's governing body, responsible for the oversight of strategy, finances and performance.

From BBC

However, a state senate analysis calls the gondola proposal “one project that would benefit.”

From Los Angeles Times

More recently, a third whistleblower made headlines when testifying before a senate committee last year.

From BBC

The architect of MAGA’s Huntington Beach takeover, Tony Strickland, was elected to the state senate earlier this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• body 
• chamber 
• house 
• parliament