- 1 [countable, singular + singular or plural verb] the group of people who are elected to make and change the laws of a country The German parliament is called the ‘Bundestag’. CollocationsPoliticsPower 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 lifePolitical debate 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 partiesPolicy 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/congressMaking laws 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 economy, vote Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecurrent, present, new, … verb + parliamentstand for, enter, get into, … parliament + verbadopt something, approve something, enact something, … parliament + nounbuilding, chamber, minister, … prepositionin parliament phrasesan Act of Parliament, a house of parliament, the lifetime of a parliament, … See full entry See related entries: Parliament, Elections
- 2 Parliament [uncountable + singular or plural verb] 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 win a seat in Parliament to be elected to Parliament Culture The word 'parliament' was first used in the 13th century, when Henry III held meetings with his noblemen to raise money from them for government and wars. Several kings found that they did not have enough money, and so they called together representatives from counties and towns in England to ask them to approve taxes. Over time, the noblemen became the House of Lords and the representatives became the House of Commons. The rise of political parties in the 18th century led to less control and involvement of the sovereign, leaving government in the hands of the cabinet led by the prime minister. Although the UK is still officially governed by Her Majesty's Government, the Queen does not have any real control over what happens in Parliament. Both the House of Lords and the House of Commons meet in the Palace of Westminster, also called the Houses of Parliament, in chambers with several rows of seats facing each other where members of the government sit on one side and members of the Opposition sit on the other. Each period of government, also called a parliament, lasts a maximum of five years and is divided into one-year periods called sessions. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecurrent, present, new, … verb + parliamentstand for, enter, get into, … parliament + verbadopt something, approve something, enact something, … parliament + nounbuilding, chamber, minister, … prepositionin parliament phrasesan Act of Parliament, a house of parliament, the lifetime of a parliament, … See full entry
- 3(also Parliament) [countable, uncountable] a particular period during which a parliament is working; Parliament as it exists between one general election and the next We are now into the second half of the parliament. to dissolve Parliament (= formally end its activities) and call an election Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecurrent, present, new, … verb + parliamentstand for, enter, get into, … parliament + verbadopt something, approve something, enact something, … parliament + nounbuilding, chamber, minister, … prepositionin parliament phrasesan Act of Parliament, a house of parliament, the lifetime of a parliament, … See full entry see also Houses of Parliament, hung Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French parlement ‘speaking’, from the verb parler. Wordfindergovernmentcabinet, checks and balances, constitution, federal, government, minister, the Opposition, parliament, politics, system Wordfinderparliamentact, bill, chamber, coalition, election, law, legislation, parliament, politician, voteExtra examples Angry protestors stormed the parliament. He first stood for Parliament in 2001. He sat in Parliament for over forty years. He was returned to Parliament in 2001 as MP for Appleby. It will take at least the lifetime of a parliament to put the health service in order. Parliament may legislate on any matter of penal law. Parliament reconvenes next month. Parliament will be in session until 15th December. Sponsors of the bill agreed to concessions in order to smooth its passage through Parliament. The Commission is guided by rules laid down by Parliament. The National Assembly is the lower house of the French Parliament. The President will address the Canadian parliament during his trip. The bill has to be passed before parliament is prorogued. The bill will come before Parliament next month. The election resulted in a hung parliament, followed by the resignation of the prime minister. The floor of the Scottish parliament chamber contains seating for 128 members. The government was accused of forcing the bill through Parliament. The party failed to win any seats in Parliament. The party has a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The ruling National Democratic Party dominates parliament. a popularly elected parliament a senior parliament official her first year in Parliament the day Parliament rises for the summer recess Riot police yesterday surrounded the Georgian parliament building. She was elected as a member of the Dutch parliament in 1996. The legislation is expected to be introduced early in the next session of parliament. The prime minister unexpectedly dissolved parliament and called a general election.
Check pronunciation: parliament
