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
Republicans have suggested the sprawling measure, which runs more than 1,500 pages, is omnibus legislation—a single spending package that ties together multiple bills—rather than a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily extend funding at existing levels.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Still, all but a handful of Senate Democrats — as well as nearly all Republicans — voted for the bill’s final passage, sending the legislation to President Biden.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Approval of the sweeping, must-pass legislation came with little time to spare: The 2024 NDAA expires at year’s end, and this is the Senate’s last working week of the year.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Dec. 2024
Credit card payments groups oppose the legislation, saying the fees support fraud-prevention technology and consumer rewards programs.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legislation 
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Still, all but a handful of Senate Democrats — as well as nearly all Republicans — voted for the bill’s final passage, sending the legislation to President Biden.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Approval of the sweeping, must-pass legislation came with little time to spare: The 2024 NDAA expires at year’s end, and this is the Senate’s last working week of the year.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Dec. 2024
Credit card payments groups oppose the legislation, saying the fees support fraud-prevention technology and consumer rewards programs.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legislation
Dictionary Entries Near legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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