议会 (yì huì) is a formal noun meaning 'parliament' or 'assembly'—a legislative body where elected representatives debate and make laws. The first character 议 (yì) means 'to discuss' or 'to deliberate', emphasizing the core function of debate and consultation. The second character 会 (huì) means 'meeting' or 'gathering', highlighting its nature as a convened body of people. Together, 议会 literally conveys 'a meeting for deliberation', reflecting its democratic role in governance.

This term is used primarily in political, legal, and news contexts to refer to national or regional legislatures—for example, the National People’s Congress in China (though note that China’s system differs from Western parliamentary models). It may also appear in historical or comparative discussions about political systems. While not used for informal gatherings, it can occasionally refer to student councils or corporate boards in metaphorical or semi-official usage, especially when emphasizing formal decision-making procedures.