legislation

noun leg·is·la·tion \ ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

1 : the action of legislating; specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules (such as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization

the major function of Congress is legislation
—W. S. Sayre

2 : the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body

legislation to help distressed homeowners

3 : a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body

She proposed new legislation to protect the environment.

See legislation defined for English-language learners

See legislation defined for kids

Examples of legislation in a Sentence

They passed new state legislation this week.
Two new pieces of legislation are being considered.
She introduced legislation for protecting the environment.
More legislation is needed on this matter.
Certain animals are protected under state legislation.
One of the important functions of government is legislation.

Recent Examples of legislation from the Web

Republicans also worry that passage of the reinstatement would kill any momentum for bipartisan internet legislation.

— john d. mckinnon, WSJ, "Senate Votes to Reinstate Obama-Era Net Neutrality Rules," 16 May 2018
The House voted 82-6 for the legislation Tuesday (May 15), and the Senate approved a minor amendment Wednesday with 25-1 vote that advanced the proposal to the governor.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Bulletproof backpacks get OK from Louisiana Legislature," 16 May 2018
The Muslim Jewish Advisory Council hopes its new outreach efforts will benefit from goodwill generated by its support for federal legislation that would boost penalties for threats of violence against religious institutions.

— Washington Post, "Amid conflict, Jews and Muslims in US seek solidarity," 15 May 2018
The city's building department asked council for legislation that would allow the administration to address the issue.

— bob sandrick, cleveland.com, "North Royalton seeks to stop never-ending yard sales," 15 May 2018
The Muslim Jewish Advisory Council hopes its new outreach efforts will benefit from goodwill generated by its support for federal legislation that would boost penalties for threats of violence against religious institutions.

— jeff karoub and david crary, The Christian Science Monitor, "American Muslims and Jews band together in the face of Mideast turmoil," 15 May 2018
Video by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press Wochit ROSEMONT, Ill. — There are no plans for new legislation, but the Big Ten athletic directors did address Jim Harbaugh's locker room safety concerns this week in Chicago.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Big Ten ADs discuss Jim Harbaugh's football locker room safety idea," 15 May 2018
Since last year’s Wine Country fires, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has been pushing hard in Sacramento for legislation to protect utility companies from full liability in case their wires accidentally spark a blaze.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "After losing home in wildfires, veteran lobbyist battles PG&E," 14 May 2018
The couple is pushing for legislation that would make lying on child care applications a crime.

— New York Times, "Yoselyn Ortega, Nanny Who Killed 2 Children, Is Sentenced to Life in Prison," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'legislation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of legislation

1606

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

LEGISLATION Defined for English Language Learners

legislation

noun

: a law or set of laws made by a government
: the action or process of making laws

LEGISLATION Defined for Kids

legislation

noun leg·is·la·tion \ ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən \

1 : the action of making laws

2 : the laws that are made Congress passed new legislation protecting the environment.

Law Dictionary

legislation

noun leg·is·la·tion \ ˌle-jəs-ˈlā-shən \

1 : the making or giving of laws; specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of the state

2 : the enactments of a legislator or legislative body

3 : a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body