assemblée

Assemblée is a French noun meaning an assembly or gathering; it denotes a formal deliberative body that gathers to discuss, decide, or legislate. The term derives from the verb assembler, meaning to bring together or collect. It is feminine in gender, with l’assemblée as the ordinary article.

Usage in political institutions: In France, the term is used in the official name of the lower house of Parliament, the Assemblée nationale. In other francophone countries, national legislatures or assemblies include the Assemblée fédérale in Switzerland, the federal parliament; in Canada, the provincial legislature of Quebec is the Assemblée nationale du Québec. The word also appears in contexts such as historical or provisional bodies designated as assemblées constituantes (constituent assemblies).

Beyond legislatures, the word forms part of common phrases such as assemblée générale, the general meeting of an organization or corporation. In international affairs, the United Nations General Assembly is the Assemblée générale des Nations unies in French. The concept of an assembly is thus broad, covering both formal governmental bodies and regular organizational meetings, all centered on collective discussion and decision-making.