# Westminster

/ˌwɛstˈmɪnstɝ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the British parliament

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the UK parliament or the people who work in British politics.

For teachers: the British parliament, used metonymically to refer to the legislative body or the political establishment in the United Kingdom.

- The news today is focused on the latest decisions coming out of Westminster.
- Political commentators often argue that Westminster is too disconnected from the daily lives of people living in the north of England.

Usage: Often used without an article when referring to the political institution rather than the physical place.

### 2. a district in London

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a central area of London where you can find famous buildings like Big Ben.

For teachers: a city and borough in Greater London that contains the UK's principal government offices and the Palace of Westminster.

- We spent the afternoon walking around Westminster to see the historic buildings.
- The City of Westminster holds a unique status as it contains both the commercial heart of the West End and the administrative centre of the state.

### 3. Westminster Abbey

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

a very famous and large church in London where kings and queens are crowned.

For teachers: a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, officially titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster.

- Many famous writers and scientists are buried inside Westminster.
- The royal wedding was held at Westminster, attracting thousands of spectators to the surrounding streets.

## Examples

- The protest took place in the heart of Westminster.
- Journalists gathered outside the gates of Westminster to wait for the Prime Minister's official statement.
- 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.

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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.