legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən 

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

Expelling a member of Congress -- which is a rare occurrence -- requires a two-thirds majority vote, a higher threshold than the simple majority needed to pass most legislation. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

This legislation wants Big Oil to pay for an insurance crisis caused by the state’s price controls. —Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026

Headlining the event with Healey will be former Governors Michael Dukakis, Bill Weld, Deval Patrick, and Mitt Romney, who signed the health care reform legislation into law on April 12, 2006 inside Faneuil Hall. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

The British government acknowledged Saturday that legislation to ratify the agreement for the islands in the Indian Ocean has run out of time in Parliament. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legislation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən 

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 

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