noun

1. literally a council of elders
2. the supreme council of the ancient Roman state, originally only of patricians but later including the plebeians
3. a lawmaking assembly; state council
4. 1. ☆ the upper house of the legislature of the U.S., or of most of the states of the U.S.
   2. a similar body in other countries
5. a governing or advisory council in a college or university the Faculty Senate
6. the building or hall where a senate meets

Etymology: ME senat < OFr < L senatus < senex, old, aged < IE base *sen(o)-, old > Sans sána-, Gr henos, OIr sen, old