What does parliamentary mean?
Parliamentary is an adjective meaning connected with a parliament, with the institutions of parliamentary government, or with the formal rules and customs governing parliamentary debate. It appears in expressions such as parliamentary debate, parliamentary procedure, parliamentary secretary, and parliamentary system. In British and Commonwealth usage, the word commonly refers to national legislatures whose members are collectively known as parliamentarians. In American English, “congressional” is frequently more idiomatic when referring specifically to the United States Congress, although “parliamentary” remains appropriate for systems modeled on British parliamentary practice. The adjective can also carry a procedural implication: a parliamentary objection, question, or motion concerns the operation of debate and the rules governing it. The word is therefore both institutional and procedural, describing both legislative bodies and the recognized methods by which they conduct business.
adjectiveRelating to a parliament or to the principles and procedures of parliamentary government. It can also describe debate or conduct conducted according to recognized parliamentary rules.
- Relating to a parliament, its members, or the business and institutions of parliamentary government.
- Conducted or conducted according to established parliamentary rules, procedures, or forms of debate.
"The bill was debated in a lengthy parliamentary session before the committee."
"The opposition described the inquiry as an unnecessary parliamentary exercise."
"Several members objected to the proposal on purely parliamentary grounds."
"The committee agreed to report the measure to the house for a parliamentary debate."
In its most literal sense, “parliamentary” means having to do with speaking: the word ultimately traces back to the idea of people talking together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does parliamentary come from?
Parliamentary developed in English during the 17th century from parliament, with the adjective formed to mean “of or relating to Parliament.” Parliament itself comes through Old French from parler, a word meaning “to speak,” and ultimately from Latin parlare, “to speak.” The same ancestral root also underlies words such as parley and parlance, reflecting the older sense of discussion or formal speech.
Related word forms
How parliamentary is actually used
The term is especially associated with the British and Commonwealth use of “parliament,” while “congressional” is often the more natural equivalent in the United States. “Parliamentary” can imply formal debate and established procedure rather than everyday discussion.
Easily confused with parliamentary
A parliamentarian is a member of a parliament or a supporter of parliamentary government, whereas parliamentary is an adjective relating to a parliament or its procedures.