parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt How to pronounce parliament (audio)
also
ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
1
: a formal conference for the discussion of public affairs
specifically : a council of state in early medieval England
2
a
: an assemblage of the nobility, clergy, and commons called together by the British sovereign as the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom
b
: a similar assemblage in another nation or state
3
a
: the supreme legislative body of a usually major political unit that is a continuing institution comprising a series of individual assemblages
b
: the British House of Commons
4
: one of several principal courts of justice existing in France before the Revolution of 1789

Examples of parliament in a Sentence

The parliament has authority over the armed forces. The issue was debated in Parliament. The law was passed in the present parliament.
Recent Examples on the Web The report noted the country's parliament had recently passed legislation to extend parental and spousal maternity leave while offering more support so employees with young children can reduce their work hours to care for them. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 When reached for comment, representatives at Ikea directed Fortune to the official statement released by the German parliament. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 31 Oct. 2024 The laws passed by Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on Monday banned any UNRWA operations on its soil or contact between the agency and Israeli officials. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024 The laws, passed by parliament this week, sever all ties with UNRWA and ban its operations in Israel. Baraa Anwer and Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parliament 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parliament.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parlement, parliament "discourse, conversation, conference, assembly, assembly of the lay and ecclesiastical aristocracy, the Parliament of England or Ireland," borrowed from Anglo-French, from parler "to speak" + -ment -ment — more at parley entry 2

Note: The Anglo-French word was Latinized as parlamentum or parliamentum by the early 13th century. The source of forms with internal -ia- is uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, compares Latin amerciamentum, merciamentum "discretionary penalty or fine" (beside Anglo-French amercement, mercement; see amerce) and maniamentum "possession, administration" (Anglo-French maniement).

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parliament was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near parliament

Cite this Entry

“Parliament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliament. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

parliament

noun
par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt How to pronounce parliament (audio)
also
ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
: the supreme legislative body of various political units
the British parliament
Etymology

Middle English parliament "a council for discussing government business," from early French parlement (same meaning), from parler "to speak" — related to parley, parlor see Word History at parlor

Legal Definition

parliament

noun
par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt, ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
1
a
: an assemblage of the nobility, clergy, and commons called together by the British sovereign as the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom
b
: a similar assemblage in another nation or state
2
: the supreme legislative body of a usually major political unit that is a continuing institution comprising a series of individual assemblages
Etymology

Anglo-French parlement conference, council, parliament, from parler to speak

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