parliament

noun

par·​lia·​ment ˈpär-lə-mənt How to pronounce parliament (audio)
also
ˈpärl-yə- How to pronounce parliament (audio)
Synonyms of parliamentnext
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

Synonyms of parliament

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Article Nine of the Constitution stipulates that, upon ascending the throne, the monarch must take an oath before the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, to govern the country in accordance with the Constitution and the laws. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 According to Reuters, Qalibaf, the Iranian parliament speaker, said that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until military threats ceased and sanctions on Iran were lifted. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 In March, Havilah was questioned by parliament member Chris Rath over whether the museum’s development had triggered any budget overruns. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026 Iran’s parliament is debating a bill to withdraw from the NPT, according to Iranian lawmakers. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parliament

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

Phrases Containing parliament

Browse Nearby Words

parley-voo
parliament
parliamental
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Cite this Entry

“Parliament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliament. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on parliament

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parliament

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