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 passed a law in 2022 that allows psilocybin to be prescribed in Colorado once it's cleared by the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but the law applies only to psilocybin. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

The Maryland Freedom Caucus, a group of GOP delegates in the Maryland state legislature, made a post on social media showing a sign that appeared to have been hung by Democrat colleagues, dismissing concerns over trans athletes in women's sports. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Ultimately, after months of discussions, the Indiana legislature met in early December to vote on new congressional maps and to allow for mid-census redistricting. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

By broadening the types of food covered under the Colorado Cottage Food Act, the legislature will enable more small-scale entrepreneurs to sell their wares. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 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