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

While the deadline to get the measure on the ballot is June 25, the legislature has the ability to waive the deadline for legislative measures, the California Secretary of State said. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

The general election ballot is set to include at least one proposal — put forward by the legislature — that would exempt education spending from the spending cap. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 25 June 2026

The legislature has ethics rules, and Stein has followed them religiously. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026

The letter appears to represent a divide among Republicans, who hold every statewide office and control both chambers of the legislature, over how to address AI and the massive data centers that power it. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 June 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