Parliament Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈpærələmənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A formal assembly of representatives, such as a legislative body, a council, or a committee, that is responsible for making decisions and governing a country, organization, or municipality.

Examples

• The Speaker of the Parliament addressed the nation during the memorial service.
• The parliamentarian worked tirelessly to pass the landmark legislation.

Synonyms

• Assembly
• Congress
• Legislature

Antonyms

• Opposition
• Rebellion

Etymology

The word “Parliament” comes from the Old French term “parlement”, which means “talking” or “consultation”. It has its roots in the Latin phrase “parlamentum”, meaning “assembly” or “council”.

Usage Notes

Parliament can refer to a range of formal assemblies, from national legislatures to smaller committees. It is often used interchangeably with synonyms like “assembly” or “congress”.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the concept of Parliament has been referenced in films, literature, and music. For example, the phrase “the Parliament of Owls” appears in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth stories.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“The Parliament of Fools” is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a gathering of people who are perceived as foolish or ignorant.

Related Words or Phrases

Assembly, Congress, Legislature, Senate, House of Representatives

Collocations

Parliament and Debates, Parliament and Legislation, Parliament and Politicians

Frequency of Use

Parliament is a relatively common term in modern language, often used in formal and official contexts.

Common Misspellings

Parliement, Parilament, Parlementary