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

• 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

The damning report, details of which were released to French media ahead of the presentation to parliament on Wednesday, is calling for an overhaul in funding and regulations to protect vulnerable actors and minors on set. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025

Charles and Camilla will spend their anniversary meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after which Charles will deliver a speech to parliament — the first British monarch in history to address a joint parliamentary session in Italy. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

This left him a lame-duck president prevented from moving forward on legislation to cut taxes and ease business regulations, as his main rivals in the Democratic Party used parliament to impeach key cabinet members and hold up a budget bill. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025

Under the ban, Le Pen will not be removed from her seat in parliament until the end of her current term. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 31 Mar. 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