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.
Phrases and idioms:
Chamber of Commerce an association to promote local commercial interests. chamber-pot a receptacle for urine etc., used in a bedroom.
Etymology: ME f. OF chambre f. L CAMERA