# senate

/ˈsɛnət/ (US) · /sˈɛnət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/senate
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. government chamber

noun · CEFR B2

the upper house of a parliament or government in many countries, like the US or Australia.

For teachers: the upper chamber of a bicameral legislature, often possessing distinct powers regarding treaties, appointments, or constitutional review.

- The new law was passed by the lower house but rejected by the Senate.
- The bill faced significant opposition in the Senate, where representatives from smaller regions argued that the proposed tax would unfairly impact their local economies.

### 2. university/institution council

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a group of senior members who make the most important decisions for a university.

For teachers: the supreme academic governing body of a university, responsible for maintaining standards and approving degrees.

- The university senate met to discuss the new rules for student exams.
- The academic senate convened to deliberate on the proposed changes to the faculty tenure process and the introduction of new interdisciplinary degrees.

### 3. Ancient Rome

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the powerful group of leaders who governed the ancient Roman Republic and Empire.

For teachers: the supreme council of state in ancient Rome, which held varying degrees of power throughout the Republic and Empire.

- In ancient times, the Roman Senate decided whether the country should go to war.
- Historians often debate the extent to which the Senate maintained its influence after the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire.

## Examples

- The Senate voted on the new law today.
- The proposed tax reform passed in the lower house but faced strong opposition in the Senate.
- Constitutional scholars often debate whether the Senate's structure provides a necessary check on populist impulses or merely obstructs the legislative will of the majority.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.