1. In a bicameral form of government, the upper law-making chamber of government in many countries or states, past and present: Stuart's uncle was elected to the senate where he distinguished himself with his pro-environmental voting record.
2. Often the governing body or officials at a university: Mr. Fisk, the popular professor, was elected to the university senate.
3. Etymology: via Old French from Latin senatus, literally "assembly of elders", from senex "male elder"; source of English senile and senior.

In Roman law, a decision or decree of the governing Roman chamber of government, that had the force of law, but it was made without the concurrence of the people: The senators agreed to a senatus consultum in order to expedite action regarding the national debt.

In modern times, a decree is a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record that is issued by a court or a judge, as opposed to the practice of senatus consultum in which a small group of law makers consulted and issued decrees that became the law of the land.