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 composition of state legislatures and governorships post-2024 could result in a patchwork of AI regulations across the country, adding another layer of complexity for businesses operating across state lines. —Mark Drapeau, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

The law had been passed by a legislature under full GOP control. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Arkansas has a mom in the governor's mansion, but over in the legislature, mothers are vastly underrepresented. —Michael Graff, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024

DeMarco went on to call for Orenstein to resign or for the state legislature to impeach the judge. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

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