DictionaryAI

senator

noun
USSEN-uh-tur/ˈsɛn.ə.tɚ/UKSEN-uh-tuh/ˈsɛn.ə.tə/

Pluralsenators

6 meanings of senator

Practice

  1. 1
    upper house membernouncountable
    A member of a senate, a group that makes laws. Voters choose senators in some countries, but not in others.

    The senator voted against the new tax bill.

    Each state elects two senators to represent it.

    UsageWrite Senator with a capital before a name (Senator Smith) or when you speak to one (Thank you, Senator). Otherwise write the senator.

  2. 2
    ancient Romenounhistoricalcountable
    A member of the ruling council of ancient Rome or of another ancient state.

    In ancient Rome, a senator usually came from a rich old family.

    The senators debated whether to go to war with Carthage.

    Note
  3. 3
    nounrarecountable
    A member of a ruler's council or of another governing body, or a respected leading politician.
    Both we will raigne as Conſuls of the earth, And mightie kings ſhall be our Senators.
    c. 1587, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part

    Similarstatesman, councilor, counselor, adviser

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    noundatedcountable
    A member of a parliament or other lawmaking body, especially the British Parliament.

    Similarlegislator, parliamentarian, lawmaker

    Note
  2. 5
    nounobsolete
    An important official who held authority within a church.
    Note
  3. 6
    noun
    A government minister in the German cities of Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg, or a city leader in some old Hanseatic towns.

Practice

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Origin

From Latin senator, based on senex meaning "old."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts