parliament

Universal Words noun 1 [C,sing.+sing./pl.v.] the group of people who are elected to make and change the laws of a country: The German parliament is called the 'Bundestag'. 2 (Parliament) [U+sing./pl.v.] the parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords: a Member of Parliament * the issue was debated in Parliament * an Act of Parliament * to have / win a seat in Parliament * to be elected to Parliament 3 (also Parliament) [C,U] a particular period during which a parliament is working; Parliament as it exists between one GENERALELECTION and the next: We are now into the second half of the parliament. * to dissolve Parliament (= formally end its activities) and call an election seealsoHOUSESOFPARLIAMENT, HUNG