legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈle-jə-ˌslāt 

legislated; legislating

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation

specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation

Synonyms

• constitute
• enact
• lay down
• make
• ordain
• pass

Examples of legislate in a Sentence

They are attempting to legislate morality.

the need to better legislate foreign trade

trying to legislate changes in the current law

Recent Examples on the Web

While lawmakers this Congress initially felt a sense of urgency around legislating AI, that fizzled out. —Maria Curi, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

Norway serves as an example to the EU, UK and other countries which have legislated to ban combustion engine cars. —Sverre Alvik, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

And then Congress will follow it up by legislating and providing serious funding to secure the border and to keep our community safe. —Abc News, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Common sense and sound judgment can’t be legislated. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from legislator

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈlej-ə-ˌslāt 

legislated; legislating

1

: to make laws

the constitutional power to legislate

2

: to cause, establish, or regulate by legislation

legislating foreign trade

Legal Definition

legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈle-jəs-ˌlāt 

legislated; legislating

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation

specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to cause, create, provide, or bring about by legislation