Having two chambers or houses in a legislative body. In the U.S., Congress is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, each with different powers and representation systems.
From Latin 'bi-' (two) and 'camera' (chamber or room). The term emerged in political science during the 18th century as constitutional theorists described different legislative structures across various governments.
The Great Compromise of 1787 created America's bicameral system to solve a heated debate between large and small states—the House represents population while the Senate gives equal voice to each state, making tiny Delaware equal to massive California in the upper chamber! This compromise literally saved the Constitutional Convention from collapse.
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