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 hurriedly endorsed the sale during a special session in 2024, adopting — without a public hearing — the enabling legislation needed to allow an unregulated, nonprofit company to buy a regulated water utility. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026

The legislature should be slowing down, scrutinizing, and rejecting policies that raise costs, increase regulatory burdens, and expand litigation against employers. —Chris Richardson, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026

City staff are monitoring all property tax proposals moving through the legislature, including the bill approved in the Florida House, said city spokesperson Belal Jaber. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026

There are still some bills that have yet to matriculate over from the legislature. —Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 6 Mar. 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