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

Benton resigned from the legislature July 3 and withdrew from seeking reelection. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Cleaver, who has represented the district since 2005, was unopposed in the Democratic primary but faces an uphill battle in the general election after the state legislature redrew the district last year to lean Republican. — Abc News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Joanna Whaley, a hospital chaplain who won the Democratic primary on Tuesday for a Michigan state House seat, could become the first transgender person elected to the state’s legislature. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Despite this, Moore has forced the Maryland legislature to kneel to his demands. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 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