senate

senate — noun

1. the smaller and more senior of the two legislative groups in a country or state

1.nounB1
Definition

the smaller and more senior of the two legislative groups in a country or state that has a two-chamber political system; its members are elected or appointed to review, change, and vote on proposed laws

Example

The Senate approved the new education bill with a two-thirds majority.

collocation: approve/reject a bill

Senator João Santos gave a passionate speech on the Senate floor.

Common collocations
  • elect to the Senate
  • serve in the Senate
  • the Senate votes on
  • Senate committee
  • Senate confirmation
  • control of the Senate
Synonyms
  • upper house

    more descriptive term for the less numerous chamber in a bicameral system

  • chamber

    broader term for any legislative body; less specific to the upper house

Antonyms
  • lower house

    the other, usually larger legislative chamber such as the House of Representatives

Grammar Patterns

the Senate (proper noun)

[country/city] Senate

Usage Note

In the United States, the Senate is one of two chambers of Congress, with each state electing two senators regardless of population. Frequently capitalized when referring to a specific body (e.g., 'the US Senate').

Common Mistakes

The Senate are debating the law.
The Senate is debating the law.
collective nouns like 'senate' take singular verb agreement in American English.

2. the main group of senior faculty members and administrators who decide academic

2.nounB2
Definition

the main group of senior faculty members and administrators who decide academic policy at a university or similar institution, such as approving courses and setting educational standards

Example

The university Senate voted to introduce a new environmental science programme.

collocation: university Senate votes to

Professor Élise Dubois presented her curriculum proposal to the academic Senate.

Common collocations
  • university Senate
  • academic Senate
  • faculty Senate
  • Senate committee
  • Senate meeting
  • serve on the Senate
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the [university name] Senate

academic senate

Usage Note

Common in British, Canadian, and Indian university systems. In the US, 'Faculty Senate' or 'Academic Senate' is more frequent. Distinguish from sense 1 (governmental): this sense refers exclusively to academic institutions.

3. the most powerful political council in ancient Rome, made up of wealthy and infl

3.nounB2
Definition

the most powerful political council in ancient Rome, made up of wealthy and influential citizens who advised leaders, controlled state finances, and directed foreign policy; also the building where this council assembled

Example

The Roman Senate declared war on Carthage after a long and heated debate.

collocation: declare war

Julius Caesar was famously assassinated by a group of senators inside the Senate chamber.

Common collocations
  • Roman Senate
  • the Senate decreed
  • Senate chamber
  • Senate of ancient Rome
  • members of the Senate
Synonyms
  • Curia

    the specific name of the building where the Roman Senate met

  • patrician council

    emphasises that only the patrician class could be members

Grammar Patterns

the Roman Senate

the Senate (in ancient context)

Usage Note

Always capitalized when referring to the ancient Roman institution. The building is also called the Curia. Distinguish from sense 1 (modern government): this sense is historical only, never used for contemporary political bodies.

Common Mistakes

The Roman senate declared him emperor.
The Roman Senate declared him emperor.
the historical institution is always capitalized.

Word family

  • senator
    nounB1
  • senatorial
    adjectiveC1
  • senatorship
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Senate' refers specifically to the upper chamber in a bicameral (two-chamber) system, whereas 'congress' typically refers to the entire national legislative body in the US (both the Senate and the House of Representatives). 'Parliament' is the broader term used for the lawmaking body in countries such as the UK, Canada, and India, which may be bicameral or unicameral. 'Legislature' is the most general term for any lawmaking body at any level of government. For example: 'The US Congress is made up of the Senate and the House.' 'The bill passed the Canadian Parliament but stalled in the Senate.' 'The state legislature meets every January.' Use 'senate' when you want to emphasise the upper house specifically.

senate ↗congress ↗parliament ↗legislature ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Senate bill
  • Senate committee
  • Senate seat
  • Senate hearing
  • Senate majority

Phrases

  • control of the Senate
  • the Senate floor
  • the Senate chamber
  • Senate confirmation hearing

Prepositions

  • in the Senate
  • to the Senate
  • by the Senate

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'senate' comes from the Latin 'senatus', which means 'council of elders'. This was formed from 'senex', meaning 'old man', because in ancient Rome the Senate was made up of older, experienced citizens. The word passed into English through Old French 'senat' in the 13th century, and was adopted for the upper legislative chambers of modern governments.