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

The bill, which was unanimously passed by the House and Senate during this year’s legislative session, drew relatively little attention as lawmakers battled for weeks about a new budget. —Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025

This should be the subject of discussions in America’s classrooms, book clubs, houses of worship, legislative chambers, service clubs, podcasts, and social media feeds in 2026. —Hans Zeiger, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025

Noun

With the session ended, here are the legislative asks Greenberg did — and didn't — get from the General Assembly. —Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Latest Indiana legislative updates This story may be updated with additional reporting. —Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

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 council
• quasi-legislative

Rhymes for legislative

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

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