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

To bring more scrutiny to private equity ownership of nursing homes, members of the legislature’s Aging Committee are considering a bill that would boost financial disclosure mandates and require owners to secure a performance bond or other form of security. —Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026

Ultimately, the Indiana legislature met in early December – which kicked off the start of the 2026 session – to take up redistricting. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Since January, bills have been introduced in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland and at least nine other state legislatures to allow smaller houses on smaller lots. —Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026

Georgia state legislatures are more than a month into their 40-day stay under the Gold Dome, and a busy election year may have drawn focus away from the day-to-day operations inside the capitol. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 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