parliamentary
gb/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi/ us/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi/
B2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Relating to a parliament
About or connected to a parliament, which is a group of people who make laws for a country.
Usage pattern:
[parliamentary] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'parliamentary' with 'presidential', which describes a different system of government.
Synonyms
legislative (Refers more broadly to law-making bodies, not only parliamentary systems.)
Antonyms
presidential (Refers to a system of government led by a president rather than a parliament.)
Collocations
parliamentary democracy
|parliamentary election
|parliamentary system
|parliamentary debate
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Examples
- The country operates under a parliamentary democracy.
- Parliamentary elections will be held next month.
- She is studying the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom.
- The bill passed through all parliamentary stages quickly.
Learner examples
- The UK has a parliamentary system.
- They will have a parliamentary vote tomorrow.
- A parliamentary meeting will happen next week.
- The law needs parliamentary approval.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
Following parliamentary rules
Doing things in the way that is usual in a parliament, especially in meetings and debates.
Usage pattern:
[parliamentary] [procedure/manner/conduct]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'parliamentary' here refers to politics in general, but it specifically means following parliament-style rules.
Synonyms
procedural (Refers more generally to following formal rules, not necessarily those of a parliament.)
Antonyms
unprocedural (Lacking or ignoring formal rules and structure.)
Collocations
parliamentary procedure
|parliamentary conduct
|parliamentary debate
Themes
politics
|law
|communication
Examples
- The meeting was conducted in strict parliamentary fashion.
- He raised a point of order under parliamentary procedure.
- Her speech showed deep knowledge of parliamentary rules.
Learner examples
- We must follow parliamentary rules here.
- He used parliamentary language in the meeting.
- They followed parliamentary steps to decide.
Grammar
Dictionary form
parliamentary
IPA
GB/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi/
US/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi/
Syllables & stress
par - lia - ment - ary (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: parliamentary
Word family
Core family
parliament
noun B1
Advanced or less common
parliamentarian
noun
Expressions
parliamentary democracy
1/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
fixed phrase
System where parliament governs
A system of government where people elect members to a parliament, and the parliament makes laws and chooses the government.
Examples
- Canada is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy.
- In a parliamentary democracy, the prime minister is usually chosen from the ruling party in parliament.
parliamentary procedure
1/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi pɹoʊsˈid͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
Formal rules for meetings
The official rules for running meetings, based on how parliaments work.
Examples
- The chairperson guided the discussion according to parliamentary procedure.
- Learning parliamentary procedure can help keep meetings organized.
parliamentary system
1/pˌɑɹləmˈɛntɚi sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
Government led by parliament
A way of running a country where parliament makes laws and chooses the leaders.
Examples
- The parliamentary system often results in coalition governments.
- Many countries in Europe have a parliamentary system.