n. 1 a a hall used by a legislative or judicial body. b the body that meets in it. c any of the houses of a parliament (Chamber of Deputies; second chamber). 2 (in pl.) Brit. Law a rooms used by a barrister or group of barristers, esp. in the Inns of Court. b a judge's room used for hearing cases not needing to be taken in court. 3 poet. or archaic a room, esp. a bedroom. 4 Mus. (attrib.) of or for a small group of instruments (chamber orchestra; chamber music). 5 an enclosed space in machinery etc. (esp. the part of a gun-bore that contains the charge). 6 a a cavity in a plant or in the body of an animal. b a compartment in a structure. 7 = chamber-pot. Chamber of Commerce an association to promote local commercial interests. chamber-pot a receptacle for urine etc., used in a bedroom.
[ ME f. OF chambre f. L CAMERA ]