Definition

1. Noun:
   • An expert in parliamentary rules and procedures: A person who is highly knowledgeable about the formal rules (such as Robert's Rules of Order) that govern the conduct of meetings, debates, and decision-making in a parliamentary assembly.
   • An elected member of a parliament: A person who serves as a representative in a parliamentary body, especially in the context of the British Parliament (a Member of Parliament, or MP).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Expert in procedure):
  • The organization hired a professional parliamentarian to ensure the annual meeting followed proper procedure.
  • As the club's parliamentarian, her role was to advise the chair on points of order.
• Noun (Elected member):
  • The parliamentarian gave a passionate speech in the House of Commons.
  • Several parliamentarians from the opposition party voted against the bill.

Advanced Usage

• Capitalized "Parliamentarian": In British historical context, specifically referring to the period of the English Civil Wars (1642–1651), a Parliamentarian was a supporter of the Parliament against King Charles I.
  • The Parliamentarian forces, led by Oliver Cromwell, were ultimately victorious.

Variants and Related Words

• Parliamentary (adj): Of, relating to, or enacted by a parliament. (e.g., , ).
• Parliament (n): The supreme legislative body in some countries.

Synonyms

• For : proceduralist, rules expert.
• For : legislator, representative, MP (Member of Parliament), congressman/congresswoman (in other contexts).

Related Phrases

• To serve as parliamentarian: To act in the role of a procedural advisor.
  • She agreed to serve as parliamentarian for the convention.

Noun

1. an expert in parliamentary rules and procedures
2. an elected member of the British Parliament: a member of the House of Commons