legislative

1 of 2

adjective

leg·​is·​la·​tive ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tiv How to pronounce legislative (audio)
-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
Major measures still in place Policing experts warned against viewing the recent policy shifts as a complete reversal of legislative gains in the fight for police reform. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Those priorities aligned closely with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s legislative goals for 2024. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 Power line construction bill held up in Senate The bill was approved by the state Assembly in February, but a Senate vote has not been scheduled as Republican leaders continue to try to rally support with just more than a week left in the legislative session. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The organization is also tracking 478 bills in the 2024 legislative session that restrict LGBTQ rights. Chandelis Duster, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Last month, when the committee slapped Harvard with a subpoena – the first time the legislative body has issued such a demand to a university – Sidechat played a big role in that request. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 West Virginia, which has the highest rate of adult cigarette use in the nation, could become the 12th state to ban smoking in vehicles with children present under a bill that won final legislative passage Thursday. John Raby, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 All legislative decisions in Arizona are subject to referendum. Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 More than 30 bills have been filed this year, according to a legislative tracker from the ACLU. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
First, the founders of our country designed the government with three separate co-equal branches: the legislative to make the laws, the executive to carry them out, and the judiciary to resolve cases, including those involving the constitutionality and legality of the actions of other branches. Jeffrey Rupp, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024 And Israel, the last 30 years has been a growing arrogation by the Supreme Court of the powers of the executive and the legislative. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023 Every democracy, including your own, has continuous tension between the judiciary and the executive or the legislative. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023 Both promised to lead an independent legislative. Star Tribune, 1 Feb. 2021 According to a growing number of markets pundits, the best scenario of all is a divided Washington, with one party holding the executive branch and the opposition (or a split) holding the legislative. Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 12 July 2020 Brookfield Clerk Kelly Michaels chairs the legislative and communications and advocacy committee for the clerks' association. Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2021 Democrats are pinning their hopes on Frank Ramirez, a young former legislative and City Council aide. Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legislative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislative was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near legislative

Cite this Entry

“Legislative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce legislative (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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