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

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

Trump said that the suspect was flown into the United States by the Biden administration in September 2021 and that his status was extended under Biden-era legislation. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

The judge ruled that the failure to pass the legislation did not determine the application of the 2023 law. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is the umbrella term for laws that restrict or ban breeds thought to be dangerous. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Olmer noted that the EU’s Right to Repair legislation, which passed in 2024, aims to make post-warranty repairs easier and cheaper. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legislation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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