House of Burgesses

noun phrase

: the colonial representative assembly of Virginia

Examples of House of Burgesses in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
According to Washington’s cash accounts ledger, the war hero and then-delegate in the Virginia House of Burgesses paid a £1.16 reward (around $250 today) for the escapee’s prompt return to his Virginia estate. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of House of Burgesses was in 1619

Dictionary Entries Near House of Burgesses

Cite this Entry

“House of Burgesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/House%20of%20Burgesses. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on House of Burgesses

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!