An "upper house" refers to one of the two chambers in a bicameral legislative system, often found in countries like the United States and United Kingdom. It typically has fewer members than the lower house and may represent specific regions, states, or interests. The upper house often reviews legislation proposed by the lower house and can provide additional scrutiny and debate. Members of the upper house may be appointed, elected, or hold their positions through other means, depending on the country's laws. This chamber often has unique powers, such as approving treaties or confirming appointments, which can influence the legislative process significantly.