senate
noun/ˈsenət/
/ˈsenət/
(usually the Senate)
- [singular] one of the two groups of elected politicians who make laws in some countries, for example in the US, Australia, Canada and France. The Senate is smaller than the other group but higher in rank. Many state parliaments in the US also have a Senate.
- a member of the Senate
- a Senate committee
WordfinderCollocations PoliticsPoliticsPower- create/form/be the leader of a political party
- gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
- start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
- be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
- lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
- seize/take control of the government/power
- bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
- abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
- establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
- be forced/removed/driven from office/power
- resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
- enter/retire from/return to political life
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
- launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
- join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
- criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
- lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
- call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
- formulate/implement domestic economic policy
- change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
- be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
- reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
- privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
- invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
- nationalize the banks/the oil industry
- promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
- a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congress
- have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
- propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
- introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
- amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
- veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
- get/require/be decided by a majority vote
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsc1- She is attempting to win a seat in the Irish Senate.
- The bill was passed by the Senate last month.
- [countable, usually singular, uncountable] (in some countries) the group of people who control a university
- the senate of Loughborough University
- The proposal requires the approval of the university senate.
- [singular] (in ancient Rome) the most important council of the government; the building where the council met
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French senat, from Latin senatus, from senex ‘old man’.
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