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 capitalized : 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.
One large wild card, however, is when — and how — the Senate parliamentarian rules on whether Republicans can use the current policy baseline, the budgetary gimmick that leaders are hoping to utilize to make the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025 If the Senate parliamentarian allows it, that approach would allow Republicans to make the cuts permanent. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 2025 The Senate parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on whether the provision violates the rule. Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025 In remarks to local media ahead of a meeting with parliamentarians, Defense Minister Wellington Koo played down the significance of 2027, saying military planners always set a target timeline of one to two years in the future to test coordination while integrating new weapons systems. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 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 5 Apr. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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