Etymology

Noun

1. In some bicameral legislative systems, the upper house or chamber.
2. A group of experienced, respected, wise individuals serving as decision makers or advisors in a political system or in institutional governance, as in a university, and traditionally of advanced age and male.
   • 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley,"The Revolt of Islam", canto 11, stanza 13, lines 4338-9,

     Before the Tyrant's throne

     All night his aged Senate sate.

Related terms

• senator
• senatorial
• senatus

• senescent
• senile
• senior