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

Lobbyist with a dual role State lobbying records show Mooresville BTR registered Wall and another EQV lobbyist, Kevin Wilkinson, to represent it at the legislature and other state government agencies in 2023. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025

The island is a self-governing state with its own legislature, judiciary, and fiscal system. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

Merkley entered politics in 1998, representing his childhood neighborhood in the Oregon legislature. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

To ensure residents aren’t blindsided if the state legislature decides not to increase funding for the program next year, Gilmore sent out postcards to Davidson County residents receiving relief to keep them informed of the pending crisis. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 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