legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən 

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

Administration officials have gone through the legislation in depth, offering line edits and requesting technical changes, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions between the White House and the Senate. —Aamer Madhani, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025

More recently, bipartisan legislation in Congress has sought to give the public even more detailed data. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025

But the Republican legislation is important going forward. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025

Wicks also helped move the project forward by drafting legislation that clarified noise of future residents was not an issue that must be studied as part of a development’s environmental reviews. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legislation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən 

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 

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