senator

noun

sen·​a·​tor ˈse-nə-tər How to pronounce senator (audio)
Synonyms of senatornext
: a member of a senate
senatorship
ˈse-nə-tər-ˌship How to pronounce senator (audio)
noun

Examples of senator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The messaging document, which was circulated by the Senate Republican Conference this week, advises senators' offices to tell reporters there isn't enough support in the chamber to pass the SAVE America Act. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 29 July 2026 But, in a somewhat unexpected change of stance, a senator said the State Department has committed to restoring the $600 million in GAVI funding. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 In response to angry, sometimes mocking, questions from Republican senators, Fauci declined to answer more than 100 times, injecting new drama into partisan divides that have festered for years about the origins and handling of the pandemic. — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 29 July 2026 In the latter case, Democratic senators would likely oppose the contempt effort. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for senator

Word History

Etymology

Middle English senatour, from Anglo-French senatur, from Latin senator, from senatus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of senator was in the 13th century

Rhymes for senator

See All Rhymes for senator

Browse Nearby Words

senate
senator
senatorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Senator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senator. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

senator

noun
sen·​a·​tor ˈsen-ət-ər How to pronounce senator (audio)
: a member of a senate
senatorship
-ˌship How to pronounce senator (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

senator

noun
sen·​a·​tor ˈse-nə-tər How to pronounce senator (audio)
: a member of a senate
senatorial
ˌse-nə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce senator (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on senator

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for senator

Nglish: Translation of senator for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about senator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All