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

Virginia’s Democratic legislature recently passed legislation that, if signed into law, will be a major boon for one of the state party’s largest financial supporters. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026

Another bill, still alive in the Oregon legislature, would require that state to publicly identify companies with high numbers of workers on Medicaid. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026

In Utah, a Republican legislature passed a child safety AI bill with over 90% public support. —Alexander McCoy, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

About a third of Californians named the cost of living, the economy or inflation as the most important issue for the governor and the legislature to address this year. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 20 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