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 legislature approved a $50 million operations endowment, requiring library planners to raise $100 million in private donations, a goal met in 2020. — CBS News, 1 July 2026

In its latest state budget that is expected to be voted on by the legislature this week, North Carolina is imposing a 6% tax on net trading fee revenue from prediction markets operating within the state, according to WRAL. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

To check local regulations, find your state's laws about temporary food service establishments in the online state legislature. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 July 2026

The 70 legislators picked by al-Sharaa included 15 women, which raised the number of female members in the legislature to 22. — Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 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