noun
senate
SEH-niht
noun
1
The upper chamber in certain two-house legislatures.
"The bill passed the senate by a narrow margin."
2
A governing council of respected or senior figures, as in a university.
"The university senate voted to change the admissions policy."
How to Use Senate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal governing or advisory body, most commonly the upper house of a parliament.
Common pairings
pass the senate
senate committee
run for senate
Word Forms
senates plural, Senates plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “senate”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bill passed the _____ by a narrow margin.
Etymology
From Latin senātus, "council of elders," from senex, "old" — the same root as "senior" and "senile."