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

Hoffman, 60 and also a top Democrat in the legislature, is a member of the state Senate first elected in 2012. —Yezen Saadah, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

In addition, there are 10 states where the governor and state legislature have initiated the process of phasing their state income tax to zero: Arizona, Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Utah and Arkansas. —Grover Norquist, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025

In Minnesota, the legislature passed a measure to end coverage for adults, though children would remain eligible. —Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025

Perhaps the Pope Leo measure will be dealt with later this summer or year, as the legislature is due back to consider a number of unmet goals, including funding regional mass transit. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025

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