legislative

1 of 2

adjective

leg·​is·​la·​tive ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tiv 

-slə-

1

a

: having the power or performing the function of legislating

b

: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations compare executive, judicial

2

a

: of or relating to a legislature

legislative committees

b

: composed of members of a legislature

legislative caucus

c

: created by a legislature especially as distinguished from an executive or judicial body

d

: designed to assist a legislature or its members

a legislative research agency

3

: of, concerned with, or created by legislation

legislative courts

legislatively adverb

legislative

2 of 2

noun

: the body or department exercising the power and function of legislating : legislature

Examples of legislative in a Sentence

Adjective

the legislative branch of the government

She is interested in the legislative process.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Machado's faction boycotted last year's legislative elections and is deeply critical of politicians who chose to run for office and who now form a small opposition bloc in the National Assembly. — John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2026

The European Commission will outline its proposals in a report on banking competitiveness, due Friday, setting out legislative changes for the sector for 2027. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Noun

The political broker wanted former lawmaker Kim Young-sun to be the conservative People Power Party candidate in the 2022 legislative by-election. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Unfortunately, for the last 50 years, the balance of power that our founders envisioned between the executive and legislative branches of government has been shifting towards the executive and away from the legislative. — Jeff Horseman, Oc Register, 5 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing legislative

• legislative assembly
• legislative branch
• legislative council
• quasi-legislative

Rhymes for legislative

• allocative
• appellative
• applicative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative

Kids Definition

legislative

adjective

leg·​is·​la·​tive

ˈlej-ə-ˌslāt-iv

1

: having the power of legislating

the legislative branch

2

: of or relating to a legislature or legislation

legislatively adverb

Legal Definition

legislative

adjective

leg·​is·​la·​tive ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tiv 

1

a

: having the power or performing the function of legislating

b

: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations compare administrative sense 2, executive, judicial

2

a

: of or relating to a legislature

legislative committees

b

: composed of members of a legislature

legislative caucus

c

: created or effectuated by a legislature especially as distinguished from an executive or judicial body

d

: designed to assist a legislature or its members

a legislative research agency

3

: of, concerned with, or created by legislation

legislatively adverb