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
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), whose husband’s stock trades have been heavily scrutinized, pledged to support the legislation after the Senate committee’s passage of Hawley’s legislation (previously named the PELOSI Act).
—Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Bathroom regulations for government buildings Texas Lawmakers approved legislation regulating which bathrooms people use in government buildings, sending the bill to Abbott.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
The legislation will limit repayment options and cap borrowing limits for graduate students, including eliminating Graduate PLUS loans, forcing more students to apply for private loans or reconsider their education options.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
France meanwhile faces an inability to push through budget legislation and a public unwilling to accept the spending cuts or tax increases needed to change its economic fundamentals.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
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Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Bathroom regulations for government buildings Texas Lawmakers approved legislation regulating which bathrooms people use in government buildings, sending the bill to Abbott.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
The legislation will limit repayment options and cap borrowing limits for graduate students, including eliminating Graduate PLUS loans, forcing more students to apply for private loans or reconsider their education options.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
France meanwhile faces an inability to push through budget legislation and a public unwilling to accept the spending cuts or tax increases needed to change its economic fundamentals.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 4 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 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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