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

In the state legislature, all 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the Senate will be on the ballot as Democrats try to increase their majorities and Republicans attempt to win races in a strongly Democratic state. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

The Taiwanese legislature recently passed a $25 billion defense budget, with additional funding for drone manufacturing potentially on its way. — Charlie Borla, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2026

Most of them are proposed by state legislatures, but some are proposed through the voter initiative process. — Quinn Yeargain, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

After returning to the legislature, Cheng was then elected as KMT chairperson in October on a platform of reengagement with China. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 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