United States Senate

The United States Senate (pronunciation: /ˈjuːnaɪtɪd ˈsteɪts ˈsɛnɪt/) is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, which, along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States.

Etymology

The term "Senate" is derived from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: Senatus), so named in the late 6th century BC from senex meaning "old man" or "elder". The United States Senate was named after the ancient Roman institution by the Founding Fathers of the United States who sought to emulate the aristocratic governmental structure of the Roman Republic.

Related Terms

United States Congress: The bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
United States House of Representatives: The lower chamber of the United States Congress.
United States Senator: A member of the United States Senate.
Majority Leader of the United States Senate: The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the United States Senate.
Minority Leader of the United States Senate: The chief spokesperson of the minority party in the United States Senate.
President pro tempore of the United States Senate: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President of the United States.
Vice President of the United States: The presiding officer of the Senate as stated in the Constitution. The Vice President has the authority to cast a vote in the event of a Senate deadlock.