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
Second, ask our lawmakers to pass legislation that builds transmission capacity faster on our overburdened electric grid.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Some House Republicans, in exchange for approving the Senate bill, insist on including several community bank deregulatory bills in pending cryptocurrency legislation.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
The goal of this legislation is to target puppy mills — irresponsible dog breeders who don’t provide for animal welfare.
—Ed Sayres, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
The stonewalling continued until last year when City Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) pushed through legislation ordering the city’s Department of Investigation to launch a probe over what and when the city knew about the toxins.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legislation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Some House Republicans, in exchange for approving the Senate bill, insist on including several community bank deregulatory bills in pending cryptocurrency legislation.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
The goal of this legislation is to target puppy mills — irresponsible dog breeders who don’t provide for animal welfare.
—Ed Sayres, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
The stonewalling continued until last year when City Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) pushed through legislation ordering the city’s Department of Investigation to launch a probe over what and when the city knew about the toxins.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
