noun
Refers to the lower house of a parliament or similar legislative body. Often used in political contexts.
日本の下院議は衆議院と呼ばれる。
The lower house in Japan is called the House of Representatives.
下院議の選挙が来月行われる。
The lower house election will be held next month.
衆議院 is the specific name for Japan's lower house, while 下院議 is a generic term for any lower house.
Compound of 下院 (lower house) + 議 (deliberation, council). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows standard Sino-Japanese word formation.