legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər 

also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-

British often ˈle-jə-slə-chə

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit

Examples of legislature in a Sentence

Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.

Each state has its own legislature.

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislature knew a Medicaid reckoning was coming and created an interim committee to rein in expenditures. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

According to the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, overtime spending in the 2025-26 fiscal year, which wrapped last June 30, approached $338 million, up almost 7% over the prior year. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Under federal guidelines, the legislature must fully allocate the funding by the end of 2026. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Eleven regions will choose governors and 39 will elect members of regional legislatures. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legislature

• nomenclature
• nature

Kids Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-chər 

: an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws

Legal Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r 

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit (as a nation or state) compare executive, judiciary