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

Although the election was largely symbolic—the Texas legislature is currently not in session, and the candidates will run again in November—it was widely seen as evidence that voters were repudiating the current Republican agenda. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026

Some lawmakers, including Democratic leadership in the Minnesota legislature, pushed back on Walz’s plan to give DHS greater control over Medicaid’s administration in the state. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026

Davis, who competed in Paralympic alpine skiing before being elected to the legislature, said today is about women sharing achievements, platforms and opportunities. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026

Every Democrat in the legislature had supported the 2025 version of the bill, and every House Democrat supported this year’s version. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 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