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

Jones' gambit might have backfired, however, and bad blood within the state legislature could hamper his candidacy. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

For their part, state legislatures should require their institutions to be homes of civil and open debate by passing legislation based on The Campus Intellectual Diversity Act. —Shannon Watkins, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026

Jackson argued that Burt Jones' work in the legislature was further evidence that the lieutenant governor is corrupt, a message that the health care tycoon is pushing in advertising too. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Before joining the legislature in 2022, McGee was previously the president of the Hickman Mills school board and administered Jackson County’s COMBAT program, a violence prevention initiative through the county prosecutor’s office, for five years. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 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