legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈle-jə-ˌslāt 

legislated; legislating

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation

specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation

Synonyms of legislate

• enact

Examples of legislate in a Sentence

They are attempting to legislate morality.

the need to better legislate foreign trade

trying to legislate changes in the current law

Recent Examples on the Web

Efforts part of push to legislate ICE The two bills join more than a dozen bills that have been proposed by Democrats to limit federal immigration law enforcement in the state. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026

Unfortunately, the legislative branch shows little appetite for legislating. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026

My job is not to legislate, but to apply the law as written by the General Assembly, ensuring that every bond decision is documented clearly so the public can understand the basis for the court’s actions. —Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026

So if Congress wants that changed, then Congress can legislate. —CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from legislator

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for legislate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈlej-ə-ˌslāt 

legislated; legislating

1

: to make laws

the constitutional power to legislate

2

: to cause, establish, or regulate by legislation

legislating foreign trade

Legal Definition

legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈle-jəs-ˌlāt 

legislated; legislating

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation

specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to cause, create, provide, or bring about by legislation