legislator

noun leg·is·la·tor \ ˈle-jə-ˌslā-ˌtȯr , -ˌslā-tər also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr \

Updated on: 25 May 2018

Definition of legislator

: one that makes laws especially for a political unit; especially : a member of a legislative body

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legislatorial

play \ˌle-jə-slə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

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legislatorship

play \ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər-ˌship\ noun

See legislator defined for English-language learners

See legislator defined for kids

Examples of legislator in a Sentence

Write to your state legislator.
the legislators met in an all-night session to hammer out the details of the bill

Recent Examples of legislator from the Web

The students organized their own unofficial hearing and invited legislators and students of all ages to attend.

— christina zdanowicz, CNN, "How a group of teenagers convinced the Utah legislature to recognize climate change," 22 May 2018
John Huppenthal, a onetime Chandler city councilman, state legislator and state public schools superintendent, gushed over William’s political and business acumen.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "Before allegedly setting up scam PACs, William Tierney was active in Arizona GOP politics," 19 May 2018
The book has several unassuming heroes: a young widow and a resourceful sociologist in Kathmandu, and legislators and tireless pro-bono lawyers in Washington.

— joan acocella, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 19 May 2018
Instead, the former state legislator and one-time executive director of the Oregon Business Association finished third in the four-way race with 23 percent of the vote.

— dana tims, OregonLive.com, "A stunning defeat, surprise run-off define Washington County commission races," 16 May 2018
Also from the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and San Francisco Young Democrats, local Democratic legislators and the four leading candidates for mayor.

— bob egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF public defenders make unusual bid for four Superior Court judges’ seats," 15 May 2018
Paulette Jordan, a Democratic candidate for Idaho governor, is a two-term state legislator and is hoping to be the first Native American governor in U.S. history.

— eugene scott, Washington Post, "Four mold-breaking candidates to know ahead of Tuesday’s primaries," 15 May 2018
Our union will monitor developments closely and address the implications of this decision with the NFL, state legislators, and other relevant stakeholders.

— matt pepin, BostonGlobe.com, "Here’s how sports leagues have reacted to possibility of legal sports gambling," 14 May 2018
Dean, elected to the legislature in 2012, has been a vocal advocate for gun control and is a founder of PA SAFE, a caucus of state legislators and firearm safety advocates.

— Philly.com, "Pennsylvania Primaries 2018: Endorsement Guide," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'legislator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of legislator

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose — more at tolerate, bear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1513

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

legislator Synonyms

Synonyms

lawgiver, lawmaker, solon;

Related Words

assemblyman, assemblywoman;

congressman, congresswoman;

senator;

LEGISLATOR Defined for English Language Learners

legislator

noun

Definition of legislator for English Language Learners

: a person who makes laws : a member of a legislature

LEGISLATOR Defined for Kids

legislator

noun leg·is·la·tor \ ˈle-jə-ˌslā-ˌtȯr , -ˌslā-tər \

Definition of legislator for Students

: a person who makes laws and is a member of a legislature

Law Dictionary

legislator

noun leg·is·la·tor \ ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tər, -ˌtȯr \

legal Definition of legislator

: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit; especially : a member of a legislative body

—

legislatorial

play \ˌle-jəs-lə-ˈtōr-ē-əl\ adjective

—

legislatorship

noun

Origin and Etymology of legislator

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose