parliament

A representative body having supreme legislative powers within a state or multinational organization.

The national legislature of the United Kingdom, made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

To busy one’s self with parliamentary matters; attend to one’s duties as member of Parliament.

A conference or consultation.

A meeting or assembly for conference or deliberation; especially, an assembly of the people or their representatives to deliberate or legislate on national affairs.

Specifically [capitalized] The supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, consisting of the three estates of the realm, namely the lords spiritual, the lords temporal, and the commons; the general council of the nation, constituting the legislature, summoned by the sovereign’s authority to consult on the affairs of the nation and to enact and repeal laws.

[capitalized] One of similar legislative bodies constituting the legislatures of the Dominion of Canada, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, and other self-governing colonies of the British empire.

In France, before the revolution of 1789, one of several courts, including various provincial parliaments, and especially the Parliament of Paris (see below).

In law, an assembly of the members of the two Temples (Inner and Middle) to consult upon the affairs of the society.

[Short for parliament-cake.] Same as parliament-cake