legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər 

 also  ˌle-jə-ˈslā-,

 British often  ˈle-jə-slə-chə

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit

Examples of legislature in a Sentence

Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.

Each state has its own legislature.

Recent Examples on the Web

And unlike in other states, only the legislature can put measures on the North Carolina ballot. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025

This was made possible, in large part, by a law passed by the Ohio state legislature in 2023 that gutted guidelines for homeschooling; home teachers are no longer required to submit curricula to the school district’s superintendent. —Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025

In 2021, the legislature enacted Civil Code Section 4741, banning complete rental bans. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

While plenty of risks remain — Milei’s party will still be in the minority in Argentina’s national legislature, and the South American nation remains deeply indebted — for now Bessent’s risky move looks to be another win, decades after his involvement in a legendary bet against the UK pound. —Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legislature

• nomenclature
• nature

Kids Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-chər 

: an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws

Legal Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r 

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit (as a nation or state) compare executive, judiciary