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
Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 and subsequent need for military support from Germany pushed Italy into a closer alliance with Hitler that, in turn, led to the imposition of anti-Jewish legislation.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
After that, the Senate would decide legislation by a simple majority vote, at least 51 of 100 senators, or having the vice president cast the deciding vote in a 50-50 tie.
—George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even to her longtime political foes, Pelosi was viewed as one of the most effective speakers, and Democratic leaders, in history, holding the party caucus together to shepherd through massive legislation, like the Affordable Care Act, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s healthcare agenda.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Players getting paid directly by schools, coaches getting paid even more to stop working, dueling legislation in Congress — those are only part of the off-field chaos that pales in comparison to the actual games being played.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
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Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
After that, the Senate would decide legislation by a simple majority vote, at least 51 of 100 senators, or having the vice president cast the deciding vote in a 50-50 tie.
—George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even to her longtime political foes, Pelosi was viewed as one of the most effective speakers, and Democratic leaders, in history, holding the party caucus together to shepherd through massive legislation, like the Affordable Care Act, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s healthcare agenda.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Players getting paid directly by schools, coaches getting paid even more to stop working, dueling legislation in Congress — those are only part of the off-field chaos that pales in comparison to the actual games being played.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 6 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 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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