legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of legislating
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules (such as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization
the major function of Congress is legislation W. S. Sayre
2
: the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body
legislation to help distressed homeowners
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
She proposed new legislation to protect the environment.

Examples of legislation in a Sentence

They passed new state legislation this week. Two new pieces of legislation are being considered. She introduced legislation for protecting the environment. More legislation is needed on this matter. Certain animals are protected under state legislation. One of the important functions of government is legislation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Berrien was previously a member of the bipartisan group Democracy Found, which had other members testify for the legislation, including Greg Marcus, CEO of Marcus Corporation, which owns the movie theater chain. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025 Pritzker is pushing for new legislation to hold down electricity supply costs, including expanding alternative energy sources that feed into the grid. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025 Those who support removing the 24 lawmakers have criticized the KMT and its allies for blocking key legislation, especially the defense budget, and passing controversial changes that are seen as diminishing the power of the executive and favoring China, which considers the island its own territory. Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025 The landmark tax legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), signed into law on July 4, 2025 introduced a temporary special deduction for taxpayers aged 65 or older. Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for legislation

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislation was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of making laws
2
: the laws made by a legislator or legislative body

Legal Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jəs-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the making or giving of laws
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of the state
2
: the enactments of a legislator or legislative body
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
recently proposed legislation

More from Merriam-Webster on legislation

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