the Senate
noun
1
: the smaller group of the two groups of people who meet to discuss and make the laws of a country, state, etc.
the New York State Senate
especially
: the smaller group of the two groups that form the U.S. Congress
—often used before another noun
the Senate race
the Senate majority leader
2
: the group of officials who led the ancient Roman government
Examples of the Senate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While AmeriCorps is an independent government agency, the chief executive and board members are appointed by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate.
—
Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Others followed the Senate confirmation of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the NIH.
—Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Otsuka was nominated by Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2023.
—Pete Schroeder, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
The bill passed the Senate 36-13, with three Republicans joining all 10 Democrats to vote against the bill.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Senate
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.
Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Others followed the Senate confirmation of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the NIH.
—Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Otsuka was nominated by Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2023.
—Pete Schroeder, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
The bill passed the Senate 36-13, with three Republicans joining all 10 Democrats to vote against the bill.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Senate
Cite this Entry
“The Senate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Senate. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share