What does "duma" mean?
A Russian legislative assembly such as the historical duma of the Russian Empire or the modern lower house of the Federal Assembly (the Russian national parliament).
Duma
/ˈdumə/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A Russian legislative assembly such as the historical duma of the Russian Empire or the modern lower house of the Federal Assembly (the Russian national parliament).
- Grammar: duma is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: assembly, council, deliberative body, legislative chamber.
- Useful contrasts: executive, executive body, nondeliberative body.
- Usage evidence: During one session of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, an average of eight laws are adopted.
How to use "duma"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "duma" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "duma" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "duma" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "duma" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "duma" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "assembly" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "duma", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A Russian legislative assembly such as the historical duma of the Russian Empire or the modern lower house of the Federal Assembly (the Russian national parliament).
"Hence, while preserving his autocratic power, the Czar decrees a “Gosudarstvennaia Duma,” or State Council. The elections for this Duma will cover the whole territory of the Empire, ..."
- 2 a legislative body in the ruling assembly of Russia and of some other republics in the former USSR wordnet
- 3 A drink mixing wine and vodka.
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of duma (“Russian legislative assembly”). alt-of
"Barricades were raised, Dumas were convened and dissolved, emergency laws were enacted, mystics sought escape routes to the beyond—and meanwhile this little group of captains and colonels, nicknamed the “Young Turks,” developed their ideas, read the works of German generals, and gathered strength."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"During one session of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, an average of eight laws are adopted."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "duma"?
Common synonyms include: assembly, council, deliberative body, legislative chamber, legislature, parliament.
How do you use "duma" in a sentence?
During one session of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, an average of eight laws are adopted.
How do you pronounce "duma"?
Pronounced /ˈdumə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Russian ду́ма (dúma, “elective legislative assembly”, originally: “thought”), from Proto-Slavic *duma (“breath, spirit; word; mind, thought; advice”). The drink is named after the legislative assembly.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Polish Duma, Romanian Duma or Ukrainian Дума (Duma).