parliament

Legislative (law-making) body of a country. The world's oldest parliament is the Icelandic Althing, which dates from about 930. The UK Parliament is usually dated from 1265. The legislature of the USA is called Congress and comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In the UK Parliament is the supreme legislature, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The origins of Parliament are in the 13th century, but its powers were not established until the late 17th century. The powers of the Lords were curtailed in 1911, and the duration of parliaments was fixed at five years, but any Parliament may extend its own life, as happened during both world wars. The UK Parliament meets in the Palace of Westminster, London.