committee
noun
1kəˈmɪti [treated as singular or plural] A group of people appointed for a specific function by a larger group and typically consisting of members of that group: the housing committee [as modifier]: a committee meeting...
- An emergency meeting of the committee members met last Friday to decide what action to take.
- The committee members attended a function in the Civic Offices last Friday night.
- All families who use our services, and past committee members and staff are welcome.
1.1(In the UK) a committee appointed by Parliament to consider the details of proposed legislation: there was much scrutiny in committee...
- He agreed with much Mr Kearley had said, and would be prepared to consider amendments in committee.
- If no one objects, it will be discussed in further detail in committee, before moving on to the House of Commons.
- Several committees of the European Parliament had recommended such a course of action before any agreement was concluded.
1.2 (Committee of the whole House) (In the UK) the whole House of Commons when sitting as a committee.The Committee of the whole House then considers the bill....
- That was a decision made by the Committee of the whole House.
- This is a measure that that Minister will need to justify clause by clause to the House and to the Committee of the whole House as she insists on taking this legislation through all its stages over the next day or two.
2ˌkɒmɪˈtiː Law A person entrusted with the charge of another person or another person’s property.
2.1chiefly US A person who has been judicially committed to the charge of another because of insanity or mental disability.
Origin
Late 15th century (in the general sense 'person to whom something has been entrusted'): from commit + -ee.