senate

noun

sen·​ate ˈse-nət 

plural senates

1

: an assembly or council usually possessing high deliberative and legislative functions: such as

a

: the second chamber in the bicameral legislature of a major political unit (such as a nation, state, or province)

—often used in capitalized form as the shortened name of a specific senate

The bill passed in both the House and the Senate.

Senate Republicans

This article contends that most issues related to Senate reform in Canada have been addressed in Australia.

—Howard Cody

b

: the supreme council of the ancient Roman republic and empire

2

: the hall or chamber in which a senate meets

3

: a governing body of some universities charged with maintaining academic standards and regulations and usually composed of the principal or representative members of the faculty

Examples of senate in a Sentence

the New York State Senate

The Senate approved the bill.

The Senate voted to repeal the tax cut.

Recent Examples on the Web

Toni Atkins, the former state senate leader who is among a half-dozen candidates who have launched their 2026 gubernatorial campaigns, described the focus on Trump as a sort of necessary evil. —Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

His coattails turned a 49-51 senate to a 53-47 senate. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

In 2018, Randall flipped one of the state’s most competitive senate districts for Democrats, winning by 102 votes and helping Democrats regain control of the state’s upper chamber. —Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024

For example, in Texas, Gov. Dan Patrick has tasked state lawmakers with investigating and recommending potential changes to the role faculty senates play in university governance, curriculum development and institutional decision-making. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English senat, from Anglo-French, from Latin senatus, from sen-, senex old, old man — more at senior

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

senate

noun

sen·​ate ˈsen-ət 

: an official law-making group or council: as

a

: the supreme council of the ancient Roman republic and empire

b

: the higher branch of a legislature of a nation, state, or province

Etymology

Middle English senat "lawmaking council of ancient Rome," from early French senat (same meaning), from Latin senatus, literally, "council of elders," from sen-, senex "old" — related to senior

Legal Definition

senate

noun

sen·​ate ˈse-nət 

: the upper chamber in a bicameral legislature

especially, capitalized : the upper house of the U.S. Congress or a state legislature