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

But the Democratic state legislator says too many mothers are overburdened by high child care costs. —Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024

Groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, regularly sponsor trips to Israel for Latino legislators and have hosted outreach summits to foster the alliance. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Durst served as a Democratic state legislator from 2006 to 2013. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2024

This year, Colorado legislators have introduced the strongest package to crack down on employers that break child labor laws. —Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

Earlier this month, Nichols’ parents pleaded with legislators to kill the bill, according to CNN affiliate WMC. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

But legislators have stepped in to mount a hearty defense of the lemonade stand. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

Bills approved by legislators during the General Assembly each year head to the governor's desk for a signature — or a veto, if the state's highest executive disagrees with them. —Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 29 Mar. 2024

State legislators and the Alexandria City Council still must approve the deal. —Teo Armus, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024

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