French word

sénateur

Pronunciation

IPA/senatœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsenator

Example

Le sénateur a voté la loi.

The senator voted for the law.

Illustration for sénateur (senator)

More examples

Le sénateur a pris la parole en commission.

The senator spoke in committee.

Core concept

A member of an upper legislative chamber, serving a longer-term representative role with oversight duties.

Common phrases

  • un sénateur de gauche

    a left-wing senator

  • un sénateur de droite

    a right-wing senator

  • un sénateur élu

    an elected senator

Similar words

député: An elected representative serving in the lower house.
sénatrice: A female member of the upper house.
parlementaire: A member of parliament involved in making laws.
élu: A public official chosen through an election.

Definition in French

Titre porté par un membre du Sénat, souvent distinct du député par le mode d'élection, la durée du mandat et les fonctions de contrôle.

Word origin

French sénateur comes from Latin senator, formed from senex, meaning an older person or elder.

Usage tips

  • The feminine form is sénatrice, so French distinguishes sénateur and sénatrice when the person's gender is specified.

Related words

  • sénatricefemale senatornoun
  • sénatorialsenatorialadjective

Word lists with this word