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’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved an audit of the settlement in May 2024; that was followed by a lawsuit from state auditor Grant Parks over the city’s refusal to cooperate with the review. — Claire Wang, Oc Register, 28 July 2026

Charlotte attorney Shira Hedgepeth, who represents homeowners in disputes, argues management companies and industry groups have a coordinated presence at the legislature that ordinary homeowners cannot match. — Nora O'Neill 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026

Opposition leaders have asked Fujimori’s incoming government to reverse a series of laws approved by Peru’s last legislature which critics say weaken efforts to fight organized crime. — Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Williams said her priorities while working in the legislature are approving tax cuts for working families and pushing policies that lower the cost of living in the state. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 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