parliamentarian
noun
par·lia·men·tar·i·an
ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ē-ən 
-mən-,
also ˌpärl-yə-
1
often capitalized
: an adherent of the parliament in opposition to the king during the English Civil War
2
: an expert in the rules and usages of a deliberative assembly (such as a parliament)
3
: a member of a parliament
Examples of parliamentarian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The legislation makes a wide range of changes to the program, though the Senate’s parliamentarian struck some more extensive ones for being noncompliant with Senate rules.
—
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 7 July 2025
The parliamentarian's decision further complicates the debate, prompting some Republicans to lash out and call for her to be overruled.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Guidance from the parliamentarian is rarely ignored and Republican leaders are now forced to consider difficult options.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Murkowski finally agreed to vote for the bill following hours of internal negotiations and deliberations with the Senate parliamentarian.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 2 July 2025
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Joseph Choi, The Hill, 7 July 2025
The parliamentarian's decision further complicates the debate, prompting some Republicans to lash out and call for her to be overruled.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Guidance from the parliamentarian is rarely ignored and Republican leaders are now forced to consider difficult options.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Murkowski finally agreed to vote for the bill following hours of internal negotiations and deliberations with the Senate parliamentarian.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parliamentarian
Cite this Entry
“Parliamentarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parliamentarian. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parliamentarian
noun
par·lia·men·tar·i·an
ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ē-ən
-mən-,
also ˌpärl-yə-
: an expert in parliamentary procedure
Legal Definition
parliamentarian
noun
par·lia·men·tar·i·an
ˌpär-lə-ˌmen-ˈtar-ē-ən, ˌpärl-yə-, -mən-
1
: an expert in the rules and usages of a parliament or other deliberative assembly
specifically, often capitalized
: an officer of a legislative body acting as adviser on matters of procedure
Note: The parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representatives is appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Secretary of the Senate appoints the Senate's parliamentarian with approval of the majority leader.
2
: a member of a parliament
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