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
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
While the legislation is U.S.-centric, its influence is likely to extend far beyond.
—Geoff Ira, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Passed earlier this month, the legislation extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and includes additional provisions that impact deductions, overtime pay, charitable giving, Medicaid and more.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 15 July 2025
The legislation will allocate funding for ICE to hire 10,000 additional agents, according to DHS.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Families of those who have died from overdoses, those in recovery from substance use disorder and families of struggling individuals supported the legislation, according to Senate Democrats.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
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Geoff Ira, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Passed earlier this month, the legislation extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and includes additional provisions that impact deductions, overtime pay, charitable giving, Medicaid and more.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 15 July 2025
The legislation will allocate funding for ICE to hire 10,000 additional agents, according to DHS.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Families of those who have died from overdoses, those in recovery from substance use disorder and families of struggling individuals supported the legislation, according to Senate Democrats.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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