legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər  -ˌslā-ˌtȯr 

 also  ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr

: one that makes laws especially for a political unit

especially : a member of a legislative body

legislatorial

ˌle-jə-slə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

legislatorship

ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• lawgiver
• lawmaker
• solon

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 on the Web

For the first time ever in the history of Virginia, a Black legislator will be the next speaker for the House of Delegates. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023

More than 40 state legislators have endorsed Mr. DeSantis, who has secured at least one local chair in each Iowa county. —Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023

Cooper said she hadn't been notified of any incidents but added that if pregnant incarcerated women are still being shackled, legislators may need to revise the law. —Renuka Rayasam, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023

State legislators pining for single-payer ought to take a look at the disasters unfolding in Canada and Britain. —Sally Pipes, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

For the last few years, Manchin has been the only Democrat elected to statewide office in West Virginia, a longtime politician who has served as governor, secretary of state and state legislator. —John Raby, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023

Republicans legislators opposed to the law can amend or even repeal it. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023

In the coming year, Californians may see state legislators and regulators develop binding measures that limit how employers may use AI. —Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2023

Some Maine legislators have since begun promising stronger measures to curb gun violence following the tragedy. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-ˌtȯ(ə)r  -ˌslāt-ər 

: a person who makes laws

especially : a member of a legislature

Legal Definition

legislator

noun

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

: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit

especially : a member of a legislative body

legislatorial

ˌle-jəs-lə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

adjective

legislatorship noun

Etymology

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