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

Now the federal government has launched a voucher program by making an end run around state legislatures. — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

The legislature responded by drawing a second majority-Black district as courts had required in similar circumstances. — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 22 July 2026

The debacle began in May, when the state legislature passed a measure to reform the court system in changes that were backed by Murrill. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026

Last month, the GOP-run legislature voted to place Kolodin’s plan on the fall general election ballot, avoiding a veto from Hobbs. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2026

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