legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslā-ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr
Synonyms of legislatornext
: one that makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial adjective
legislatorship noun

Examples of legislator in a Sentence

Write to your state legislator. the legislators met in an all-night session to hammer out the details of the bill
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The exemptions would sunset in 2032 so legislators could review the bill’s effect before deciding whether to enact the policy permanently. Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 Maya fights any legislation coming from California legislators that allows school districts to make fundamental decisions about your children without your knowledge, input or consent. Dan Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026 The Chicago Teachers Union and other advocates have sought to place the onus on the state, urging CPS leaders to press legislators for more funding. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 In 2024, in an effort to improve consumer safety, California legislators passed a new law that requires delivery platforms to provide customers the name and a picture of the driver, but there's no mention of the sale or rent of delivery accounts. Amy Corral, CBS News, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for legislator

Word History

Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislator was circa 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legislator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislator. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-ˌtȯ(ə)r How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslāt-ər How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws
especially : a member of a legislature

Legal Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tər, -ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial adjective
legislatorship noun
Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose

More from Merriam-Webster on legislator

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster