legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of legislating
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules (such as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization
the major function of Congress is legislation W. S. Sayre
2
: the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body
legislation to help distressed homeowners
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
She proposed new legislation to protect the environment.

Examples of legislation in a Sentence

They passed new state legislation this week. Two new pieces of legislation are being considered. She introduced legislation for protecting the environment. More legislation is needed on this matter. Certain animals are protected under state legislation. One of the important functions of government is legislation.
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.
Meta denied censorship, citing dozens of youth studies since 2022, but lawmakers from both parties said Meta has failed to protect minors and signaled support for new legislation to hold tech companies accountable. Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 While unveiling a revised state budget in May, Newsom pushed for legislation that would fast track the nearly $20 billion project. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025 The new legislation extends the state's cap-and-invest program from its previous 2030 expiration to 2045, while also establishing a continuous appropriation of $1 billion per year to the California High-Speed Rail Authority through 2045. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Schoonen noted that many of the report’s recommendations will be used to develop a set of best-practices and model legislation that could be drafted into state laws and management recommendations for state wildlife agencies. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legislation

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislation was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of making laws
2
: the laws made by a legislator or legislative body

Legal Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jəs-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the making or giving of laws
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of the state
2
: the enactments of a legislator or legislative body
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
recently proposed legislation

More from Merriam-Webster on legislation

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