What type of legislative body is composed of two houses?

A legislative body composed of two houses is identified as bicameral. The term "bicameral" directly translates to "two chambers," indicating that the legislative process is divided between two separate entities, typically known as the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States. This structure allows for a system of checks and balances within the legislative process, as each house must approve legislation before it becomes law.

In contrast, a unicameral body has only one legislative chamber, which can streamline processes but may lack the same level of debate and scrutiny. Multicameral refers to a system with more than two legislative chambers, which is relatively uncommon and often adds complexity to the legislative process. The term "federal" does not describe the number of chambers in a legislature; instead, it pertains to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Thus, the designation of a legislative body as bicameral is correct because it precisely defines a system with two distinct chambers.