legislative branch
noun
plural legislative branches
: the branch of a government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations : legislature, legislative compare executive branch, judicial branch
Examples of legislative branch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rules regarding this are clearly outlined in both Articles 1 and 2 of the Constitution for the roles between the executive and legislative branches.
—
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The price of goods like gasoline suggest we are not headed in the correct direction, our legislative branch lacks real leadership and fails to exert itself as the safeguard it is meant to be on the executive branch.
—Kevin Fixler
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 May 2026
The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the legislative branch, and Trump neither sought nor received it in this case.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
The only answer for our country on that one is to use the legislative branch to finally have permanency in a 50-state requirement for all emissions — not just CO2, but everything.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
He has been articulate in his arguments about the need to end dysfunction in Congress and strengthen the legislative branch to maintain the balance of power outlined in our Constitution.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
But if the parties seldom work together in Congress and almost never work together between the executive and legislative branches, then things start to fall apart.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
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.
Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The price of goods like gasoline suggest we are not headed in the correct direction, our legislative branch lacks real leadership and fails to exert itself as the safeguard it is meant to be on the executive branch.
—Kevin Fixler
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 May 2026
The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the legislative branch, and Trump neither sought nor received it in this case.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
The only answer for our country on that one is to use the legislative branch to finally have permanency in a 50-state requirement for all emissions — not just CO2, but everything.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
He has been articulate in his arguments about the need to end dysfunction in Congress and strengthen the legislative branch to maintain the balance of power outlined in our Constitution.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
But if the parties seldom work together in Congress and almost never work together between the executive and legislative branches, then things start to fall apart.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legislative branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislative%20branch. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
