Unicameral: meaning, definitions and examples
🏛️
unicameral
[ juːnɪˈkæmərəl ]
government structure
The term 'unicameral' refers to a legislative body that consists of a single chamber or house. This type of governance is typically contrasted with bicameral systems, which have two separate chambers or houses. Unicameral legislatures can facilitate faster decision-making and can simplify the legislative process by reducing the number of stages through which a bill must pass. Countries like New Zealand and Sweden operate under a unicameral system, allowing for a streamlined approach to governance.
Synonyms
one-body, single-chamber
Examples of usage
- New Zealand has a unicameral parliament.
- Many smaller countries opt for a unicameral system for efficiency.
- The unicameral legislature met to discuss the proposed budget.
- Advocates argue that unicameral systems reduce bureaucracy.
Translations
Translations of the word "unicameral" in other languages:
🇵🇹 unicameral
🇮🇳 एक सदनीय
🇩🇪 einkammerig
🇮🇩 satu kamar
🇺🇦 однопалатний
🇵🇱 jednokomorowy
🇯🇵 一院制
🇫🇷 unicaméral
🇪🇸 unicameral
🇹🇷 tek kamara
🇰🇷 단원제
🇸🇦 وحيد الغرفة
🇨🇿 jednokomorový
🇸🇰 jednokomorový
🇨🇳 单院制
🇸🇮 enokomorna
🇮🇸 einn þing
🇰🇿 бір палаталы
🇬🇪 ერთპალატიან
🇦🇿 tək palatalı
🇲🇽 unicameral
Word origin
The word 'unicameral' originates from the combination of the prefix 'uni-', meaning 'one' or 'single', and the Latin word 'camera', meaning 'chamber'. The term began to gain prominence in the English language in the early 20th century, as political science became a more established field of study. As nations debated the merits of legislative structures, the concept of unicameralism emerged as a viable alternative to the more common bicameral legislature, influencing constitutional reforms in several countries. The simplicity of having a single legislative body appealed to many reformers who sought to reduce governmental complexity and improve legislative efficiency.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #30,938 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 30935 scrivener
- 30936 veneered
- 30937 familiarizing
- 30938 unicameral
- 30939 coexistent
- 30940 larboard
- 30941 bop
- ...