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

Shapiro described the cash as a short-term fix after Pennsylvania's legislature passed a state budget without additional transit funding. —Brandon Goldner, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Like other North Texas districts, Grapevine-Colleyville is grappling with declining enrollment, inflation and a need for funding from the state legislature. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Dec. 2025

In 2022, the California Highway Patrol requested $2 million from the legislature for a recruitment campaign intended to attract more people to apply for a job with the law enforcement agency. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The country has not had a sitting legislature since. —John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 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