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

As chief, Flores said he’s been most proud of lobbying the state legislature for $5 million to build a new police building and increased funding for mental health services. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Littleton’s council recently passed two resolutions staking out positions on housing bills moving through the state legislature this session. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025

Conversely, the Littleton council urged a yes vote by the legislature on a construction-defects reform bill that lawmakers are pitching as a way to encourage more condominium construction in a state that has seen little of it in the last few decades. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025

Speaking of sinkholes, the state legislature is considering a proposal to fund urban transit systems with a tax on tickets to sporting events. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025

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