ENGLISH
REFERENCE

westminster

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˌwɛstˈmɪnstɝ// west·min·ster Informal

n. the area in London where the UK government and parliament are located. People often use this name to talk about the British government itself.

n. the district in London that serves as the seat of the United Kingdom government. Frequently used as a metonym for the British Parliament or the political establishment.


SIMPLE

The protest took place in the heart of Westminster.

CONTEXTUAL

Journalists gathered outside the gates of Westminster to wait for the Prime Minister's official statement.

COMPLEX

The proposed constitutional reforms faced significant opposition from within the corridors of Westminster, where traditionalists argued that the changes would undermine centuries of parliamentary sovereignty.

Origin

From the abbey of Westminster; from Middle English Westmynster, from Old English Westmynster; equivalent to west + minster.

Usage

Often used without an article when referring to the political institution rather than the physical district.

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