# senator

/ˈsɛnətɝ/ (US) · /sˈɛnətɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/senator
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. modern politician

noun · CEFR B2

a member of a senate, which is a group of people who make laws for a country or state.

For teachers: a member of a legislative body known as a senate, often representing the upper house in systems like those of the United States, Australia, or France.

- The senator promised to vote for the new law to protect the local environment.
- The junior senator from Vermont introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming the national healthcare infrastructure during the spring session.

Usage: Often used as a title before a surname, such as Senator Smith.

### 2. Ancient Rome

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a member of the powerful governing council in Ancient Rome.

For teachers: a member of the supreme council of state in the ancient Roman Republic and Empire.

- The Roman senator wore a special toga to show his high rank in society.
- Historians argue that the influence of the individual senator waned significantly as the Roman Republic transitioned into a centralized empire.

### 3. city official

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a high-ranking official in the government of certain cities, especially in Germany.

For teachers: a member of the executive or legislative branch in certain city-states or Hanseatic cities, such as Hamburg or Berlin.

- The senator for education in Berlin announced a new plan for city schools.
- In the city-state of Hamburg, the senator oversees a specific administrative department, functioning similarly to a state minister.

## Examples

- The senator voted in favor of the new education law.
- The senator met with local business owners to discuss how the proposed tax changes would affect the community.
- Constituents often look to their senator to champion regional interests during federal budget negotiations, balancing local needs against the broader national agenda.

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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.