What does parliament mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/’pɑːrləmənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A legislative assembly, especially one that is the supreme legislative body in a country or state, responsible for making laws and governing the country.

Examples

• The parliament voted to pass the new law.
• The prime minister addressed the parliament on the issue.

Synonyms

• Legislature
• Assembly

Antonyms

• Executive
• Judiciary

Additional Information

Parliaments can be bicameral, consisting of two chambers, or unicameral, consisting of one chamber. The role of parliament is to represent the people and make decisions on their behalf. It is responsible for creating laws, approving government budgets, and exercising parliamentary control over the executive branch of government.

Parliaments have a long history, dating back to the medieval period in Europe. The English Parliament, for example, was established in the 13th century and has evolved over time to become the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom. Similarly, the United States Congress was established in 1789 and has been the supreme legislative body in the United States ever since.

Parliaments play a crucial role in modern democracy, providing a platform for debate, discussion, and decision-making. They are also responsible for holding the government accountable and ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.

Eymology

The word “parliament” comes from the Old French word “parlement,” meaning “a conference or discussion.” It is derived from the Latin word “parlamentum,” which is itself derived from the Latin words “parare,” meaning “to speak,” and “mentem,” meaning “mind” or “thought.”

Usage Notes

The word “parliament” is often used to refer to the supreme legislative body in a country or state. It can also be used more broadly to refer to any legislative assembly or council. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the term “parliament” is used to refer specifically to the bicameral legislature, while in others, such as the United States, the term “congress” is used instead.

Cultural References

The concept of parliament has been referenced in popular culture in various ways. For example, in the movie “The People’s Parliament,” a group of citizens form a makeshift parliament to make decisions for their community. In the TV show “House of Cards,” the British Parliament is depicted as a place of intrigue and power struggles.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Related Words or Phrases

• Legislature
• Assembly
• Congress

Collocations

• Parliamentary system
• Parliamentary procedure
• Parliamentary question

Frequency of Use

The word “parliament” is commonly used in formal and informal contexts, particularly in the fields of politics, law, and government. It is a relatively common word in everyday language, with a frequency of use similar to that of other nouns such as “government” and “law.”

Common Misspellings

• Parlament
• Parlimint
• Parlimen