the two houses of legislature; bicameral legislature
Refers to a legislative body with two chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in Japan.
日本の国会は二院制をとっている。
Japan's National Diet has a bicameral system.
Japan's legislature consists of two houses.
二院の役割について議論が行われた。
There was a discussion about the roles of the two houses.
The two houses did not agree on this bill.
二院 refers to the two houses of a bicameral system, while 一院制 describes a unicameral system with only a single legislative chamber.
Compound of 二 (two) and 院 (institution, house), referring to the two chambers of a legislature.