What is parliament? Pronunciation and usage in English

parliament means . Learn how to pronounce and use parliament through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of parliament

parliamentnoun

/ˈpɑːlɪm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of parliament

Okay, pronouncing "parliament" can be tricky! Here's a breakdown of how to do it, focusing on the key sounds:

1. The Core Sound: "par" (like "part")

  • Start with the sound of "part" as in "part of a pie." This is the foundation.

2. "li" (like "lee")

  • This is a short, clear "ee" sound, like in the word "see."

3. "a" (like "ah")

  • A short, open "ah" sound, like in "father."

4. "ment" (like "munt")

  • This is the trickiest part. It's a combination of sounds:
    • "m" - Say "m" clearly.
    • "e" - A short, quick "eh" sound.
    • "nt" - This sounds like "nt" in "want" or "hunt." It's a single, consonant blend.

Putting it all together:

The whole word is pronounced something like:

PAR-lee-AH-munt

Here are some tips:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable: PAR.
  • Don't over-elongate: Each syllable should be spoken with a fairly equal length. Don’t drag out the "ment."
  • Listen to examples: The best way to get it right is to hear native speakers. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce parliament" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • YouTube: Many pronunciation videos are available. Search for "pronounce parliament."
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/parliament/ - This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers from different countries.

Would you like me to break down any part of the pronunciation more specifically, or perhaps give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word parliament in English

Let's break down how to use the word "parliament" in English. It's a complex word with a specific meaning, so understanding its usage is key.

1. Core Meaning: A Legislative Body

At its most basic, "parliament" refers to a group of elected representatives who make laws for a country or region. Think of it as the main legislative body – the group that debates and passes bills that become laws.

2. Different Types of Parliaments:

  • General Parliament (or National Parliament): This is the most common type. It's the main legislative body for a country. Examples:

    • “The British Parliament is responsible for passing laws concerning the United Kingdom.”
    • “The German Parliament, known as the Bundestag, is elected every four years.”

  • Regional/State Parliament: Many countries have parliaments at a regional or state level. These parliaments have power over matters specific to their region.

    • “The Scottish Parliament has powers over education and healthcare within Scotland.”

  • Parliamentary Assembly (Inter-Parliamentary Union): This isn't a legislative body itself but a forum where parliaments from different countries meet to discuss issues and promote cooperation.

3. How "Parliament" is Used in Sentences:

Here are some examples illustrating different ways to use the word:

  • Describing Functions: “Parliament debates and votes on proposed legislation.”
  • Referring to Members: “Members of Parliament (MPs) represent their constituents.” (MPs is a common abbreviation for Members of Parliament)
  • Discussing Procedures: "The Speaker of the House of Commons presides over parliamentary sessions."
  • Historical Context: “Historically, parliaments often had very limited power.”
  • Figurative Usage (Less Common): Occasionally, "parliament" can be used metaphorically to describe a group of people deliberating or making decisions – but this is less frequent. "The board of directors held a parliamentary session to discuss the company’s future."

4. Key Parts of a Parliamentary System (Important Context):

Understanding these parts will help you better grasp the concept of "parliament":

  • House of Commons (UK): The primary chamber of the UK Parliament, made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the people.
  • House of Lords (UK): The upper chamber of the UK Parliament, composed of appointed members (life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops).
  • Senate (US): The upper chamber of the US Congress, representing the states.
  • Congress (US): The US legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

5. Common Phrases:

  • To legislate: To make laws (Parliament legislates).
  • To debate (in Parliament): To discuss and argue about a proposed law.
  • To vote (in Parliament): To express an opinion on a proposed law.
  • To be elected to Parliament: To win a seat in the legislative body.
  • To hold a parliamentary session: To meet and conduct business.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you trying to use "parliament" for? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, understanding a news article?)
  • Are you interested in a particular country's parliament? (e.g., the UK, the US, Canada, etc.)

Synonyms for the word parliament

Practice with vocabulary parliament

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The proposed legislation will be debated in __________ next week before a final vote.
  2. After the general election, the ruling __________ formed a new administration.
  3. Members of __________ often engage in lively debates over policy issues and national budget allocations.
  4. Voters in a specific geographic area are represented by an elected official from their __________.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for enacting new laws in a democratic system? A) The Judiciary B) The Executive Council C) The Parliament D) The Civil Service

  2. A group of government ministers responsible for policy-making and day-to-day governance is typically known as the: A) Opposition B) Cabinet C) Bureaucracy D) Electorate

  3. Which of these institutions is responsible for representing the public and creating legislation? A) Parliament B) Supreme Court C) Congress D) Royal Family

  4. What is the formal process by which citizens vote to elect representatives to public office? A) Referendum B) Plebiscite C) Election D) Deliberation

  5. Which of the following is characteristic of a parliamentary system of government? A) The head of government is typically the leader of the majority party in parliament. B) There is a strict separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. C) The prime minister and cabinet are usually members of parliament. D) Judges are appointed by a non-political committee.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The country's primary law-making body convened yesterday to discuss the new budget. Rewrite using "parliament":

  2. Original: The government intends to present the controversial bill to the legislative body for consideration. Rewrite using "parliament":

  3. Original: Elected representatives from across the states gathered to debate the proposed constitutional amendments. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (not "parliament"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. parliament
  2. government
  3. parliament
  4. constituency

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) The Parliament
  2. B) Cabinet
  3. A) Parliament, C) Congress
  4. C) Election
  5. A) The head of government is typically the leader of the majority party in parliament., C) The prime minister and cabinet are usually members of parliament.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Yesterday, the new budget was the main topic of discussion as the nation's Parliament convened.
  2. The government intends to present the controversial bill to Parliament for its consideration.
  3. The legislature saw elected representatives from across the states gather to debate the proposed constitutional amendments.

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