legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən 
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
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.
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 on the Web
In the absence of broad federal legislation, some states have passed laws to address potentially risky and harmful uses of AI, such as the creation of misleading deepfakes and discrimination in hiring.
—Samantha Waldenberg, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
States including New York, Colorado, California, Georgia, Illinois and Pennsylvania have introduced or advanced legislation to curb individualized or algorithm-driven price manipulation, according to the consumer groups.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Notably, leadership has offered a vote to strip earmarks out of the spending legislation entirely, but that amendment is expected to fail on the Senate floor.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
After 98 people died in the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside in 2021, Florida lawmakers passed sweeping new building safety legislation asking condo associations to stay on top of necessary repairs and maintenance and ensuring there were enough finances to fund such work.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
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Samantha Waldenberg, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
States including New York, Colorado, California, Georgia, Illinois and Pennsylvania have introduced or advanced legislation to curb individualized or algorithm-driven price manipulation, according to the consumer groups.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Notably, leadership has offered a vote to strip earmarks out of the spending legislation entirely, but that amendment is expected to fail on the Senate floor.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
After 98 people died in the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside in 2021, Florida lawmakers passed sweeping new building safety legislation asking condo associations to stay on top of necessary repairs and maintenance and ensuring there were enough finances to fund such work.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən
1
: the action of making laws
2
: the laws made by a legislator or legislative body
Legal Definition
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
recently proposed legislation
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