senate
senate — noun
1. the smaller and more senior of the two legislative groups in a country or state
the smaller and more senior of the two legislative groups in a country or state that has a two-chamber political system; its members are elected or appointed to review, change, and vote on proposed laws
The Senate approved the new education bill with a two-thirds majority.
collocation: approve/reject a bill
Senator João Santos gave a passionate speech on the Senate floor.
The Australian Senate can review any law passed by the lower house.
Both the Senate and the House must agree on the final version of the bill.
Ritu's aunt has worked as a clerk in the state Senate for twelve years.
- upper house
more descriptive term for the less numerous chamber in a bicameral system
- chamber
broader term for any legislative body; less specific to the upper house
- lower house
the other, usually larger legislative chamber such as the House of Representatives
文法句型
the Senate (proper noun)
[country/city] Senate
用法筆記
In the United States, the Senate is one of two chambers of Congress, with each state electing two senators regardless of population. Frequently capitalized when referring to a specific body (e.g., 'the US Senate').
常見錯誤
2. the main group of senior faculty members and administrators who decide academic
the main group of senior faculty members and administrators who decide academic policy at a university or similar institution, such as approving courses and setting educational standards
The university Senate voted to introduce a new environmental science programme.
collocation: university Senate votes to
Professor Élise Dubois presented her curriculum proposal to the academic Senate.
College Senate meetings are usually open to student representatives.
A special committee of the Senate reviewed the grading standards across all departments.
Hamza was elected to represent graduate students on the faculty Senate.
- academic board
common alternative term in some Commonwealth universities
- faculty council
more common in US institutions; may have narrower scope
文法句型
the [university name] Senate
academic senate
用法筆記
Common in British, Canadian, and Indian university systems. In the US, 'Faculty Senate' or 'Academic Senate' is more frequent. Distinguish from sense 1 (governmental): this sense refers exclusively to academic institutions.
3. the most powerful political council in ancient Rome, made up of wealthy and infl
the most powerful political council in ancient Rome, made up of wealthy and influential citizens who advised leaders, controlled state finances, and directed foreign policy; also the building where this council assembled
The Roman Senate declared war on Carthage after a long and heated debate.
collocation: declare war
Julius Caesar was famously assassinated by a group of senators inside the Senate chamber.
Indra's history class visited the ruins of the Roman Senate in the Forum.
Under the Republic, the Senate controlled the state treasury and foreign relations.
In ancient Rome, only men from wealthy noble families could serve in the Senate.
- Curia
the specific name of the building where the Roman Senate met
- patrician council
emphasises that only the patrician class could be members
文法句型
the Roman Senate
the Senate (in ancient context)
用法筆記
Always capitalized when referring to the ancient Roman institution. The building is also called the Curia. Distinguish from sense 1 (modern government): this sense is historical only, never used for contemporary political bodies.