Pronunciation: [hˈa͡ʊs ɒv lˈɔːd] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the British institution known as the "House of Lords" is often confused, with some using "House of Lord" instead. The key difference is the addition of the final "s" in "Lords". The pronunciation can be represented using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /haʊs əv lɔːdz/. This indicates a glottal stop between "house" and "of", and the long vowel sound in "Lords" as in "more" or "paws".
The term "House of Lords" refers to one of the two chambers of the British Parliament, alongside the House of Commons. It is an integral part of the United Kingdom's legislative system and is primarily responsible for reviewing, revising, and scrutinizing legislation proposed by the House of Commons.
The House of Lords is made up of appointed members, rather than elected representatives. Its membership consists of life peers, who are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister or the House of Lords Appointments Commission, as well as hereditary peers, who inherit their positions based on historic titles. Formerly, the House of Lords also included senior clergy members of the Church of England, known as Lords Spiritual, but their number has been reduced in recent years.
The primary functions of the House of Lords include revising and amending proposed bills, considering matters of public concern, and providing expertise and scrutiny on legislation. It serves as a platform for debate and discussion on emerging issues, with a view to offering valuable perspectives, experience, and expertise. While the House of Commons has the ultimate decision-making authority in most matters, the House of Lords acts as a check on the government, ensuring legislation is carefully reviewed and evaluated.
The House of Lords plays a significant role in shaping legislation and public policy in the United Kingdom, contributing a diversity of opinions and expertise to the legislative process.
