<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.</li><li>(initial capital letter) 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.</li><li>the room or building in which such a group meets.</li><li>Roman History: the supreme council of state, the membership and functions of which varied at different periods.</li><li>a governing, advisory, or disciplinary body, as in certain universities.</li></ul>