Senate

UK: 'senate': /ˈsɛnət/; 'Senate': /ˈsɛnɪt/

US: /ˈsɛnɪt/

US: (sen′it)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Senate / ˈsɛnɪt/ noun (sometimes not capital)

1. the upper chamber of the legislatures of the US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries
2. the legislative council of ancient Rome. Originally the council of the kings, the Senate became the highest legislative, judicial, and religious authority in republican Rome

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sen•ate /ˈsɛnɪt/   n. [countable* sometimes: Senate;
sometimes: the + ~]

1. Government an assembly having the highest law-making powers in a government:
   elected to the California State Senate.
2. a governing or advisory body, as at some universities.

See -sene-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sen•ate  (sen′it), n. 

1. Government an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, esp. a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
2. Government (cap.) the upper house of the legislature of certain countries, as the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Republic of South Africa, Australia, and some Latin American countries.
3. Government the room or building in which such a group meets.
4. Ancient History [Rom. Hist.] the supreme council of state, the membership and functions of which varied at different periods.
5. a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body, as in certain universities.

• Latin senātus council of elders, equivalent. to sen(ex) old + -ātus -ate³
• Middle English senat 1175–1225

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

senate / ˈsɛnɪt/ noun

1. any legislative or governing body considered to resemble a Senate
2. the main governing body at some colleges and universities

Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin senātus council of the elders, from senex an old man