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

Florida’s legislature recently approved the ballot initiative to increase the tax exemption on homesteads (primary residences) from $50,000 to $250,000 by 2028. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

Nevada and the other states, along with advocacy groups who intervened in the lawsuit, argue that the Constitution grants state legislatures the power to establish the times, places, and manner of holding elections. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Nothing is imminent, and even a bill winding its way through the state legislature would not necessarily require the Angels to return Anaheim to the team name. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

The legislature could shift some funds set aside for water to gambling addiction issues, but that has not been proposed. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 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