leg·is·la·tive
ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tiv 
-slə-
1
a
: having the power or performing the function of legislating
2
a
: of or relating to a legislature
legislative committees
b
: composed of members of a legislature
legislative caucus
c
: created by a legislature especially as distinguished from an executive or judicial body
d
: designed to assist a legislature or its members
a legislative research agency
3
: of, concerned with, or created by legislation
legislative courts
legislatively
adverb
: the body or department exercising the power and function of legislating : legislature
Examples of legislative in a Sentence
Adjective
the legislative branch of the government
She is interested in the legislative process.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nik Popli, TIME, 27 Apr. 2024
Parker slammed Republicans who crossed over to vote with Democrats to approve overturning the ban, saying a GOP legislative majority doesn't matter if Republicans won't fight for their values.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
While attack ads and negative messaging are all part of campaigns and elections, the back-and-forth between Goodrich, a Noblesville state representative, and Spartz, the 5th District incumbent, is especially noticeable as the candidates take jabs at each other’s legislative and business records.
—Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2024
But even if repealed, the 1864 law would still go into effect for a period of time because repeals do not take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
In the 2023 legislative session, 38 states introduced 81 bills that sought to ban or restrict enforcement of noncompetes.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 23 Apr. 2024
Federal lawmakers introduced a legislative package on Tuesday that would expand heirs’ property owners’ access to disaster relief and provide assistance in clearing titles.
—Lizzie Presser, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2024
The announcement of the FARMER Act comes amid ongoing talks about the next farm bill, a legislative package addressing nutrition, rural development and agriculture programs.
—Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 14 Apr. 2024
In the face of legislative assaults on diversity and equity, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park is one space where the voices of the past echo through the present, where wounds of history are disinfected by the light of truth.
—Donovan X. Ramsey, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2024
Jeffrey Rupp, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024
And Israel, the last 30 years has been a growing arrogation by the Supreme Court of the powers of the executive and the legislative.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023
Every democracy, including your own, has continuous tension between the judiciary and the executive or the legislative.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023
Both promised to lead an independent legislative.
—Star Tribune, 1 Feb. 2021
According to a growing number of markets pundits, the best scenario of all is a divided Washington, with one party holding the executive branch and the opposition (or a split) holding the legislative.
—Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 12 July 2020
Brookfield Clerk Kelly Michaels chairs the legislative and communications and advocacy committee for the clerks' association.
—Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2021
Democrats are pinning their hopes on Frank Ramirez, a young former legislative and City Council aide.
—Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2021
Adjective
Asked how quickly Americans can expect more guardrails on AI, Young noted that some in Congress are pushing to establish a new, independent federal agency that can help inform lawmakers about AI without a political lens, offering help on legislative solutions.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 27 Apr. 2024
Parker slammed Republicans who crossed over to vote with Democrats to approve overturning the ban, saying a GOP legislative majority doesn't matter if Republicans won't fight for their values.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
While attack ads and negative messaging are all part of campaigns and elections, the back-and-forth between Goodrich, a Noblesville state representative, and Spartz, the 5th District incumbent, is especially noticeable as the candidates take jabs at each other’s legislative and business records.
—Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2024
But even if repealed, the 1864 law would still go into effect for a period of time because repeals do not take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
In the 2023 legislative session, 38 states introduced 81 bills that sought to ban or restrict enforcement of noncompetes.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 23 Apr. 2024
Federal lawmakers introduced a legislative package on Tuesday that would expand heirs’ property owners’ access to disaster relief and provide assistance in clearing titles.
—Lizzie Presser, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2024
The announcement of the FARMER Act comes amid ongoing talks about the next farm bill, a legislative package addressing nutrition, rural development and agriculture programs.
—Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 14 Apr. 2024
In the face of legislative assaults on diversity and equity, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park is one space where the voices of the past echo through the present, where wounds of history are disinfected by the light of truth.
—Donovan X. Ramsey, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2024
Noun
First, the founders of our country designed the government with three separate co-equal branches: the legislative to make the laws, the executive to carry them out, and the judiciary to resolve cases, including those involving the constitutionality and legality of the actions of other branches.
—Jeffrey Rupp, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024
And Israel, the last 30 years has been a growing arrogation by the Supreme Court of the powers of the executive and the legislative.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023
Every democracy, including your own, has continuous tension between the judiciary and the executive or the legislative.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2023
Both promised to lead an independent legislative.
—Star Tribune, 1 Feb. 2021
According to a growing number of markets pundits, the best scenario of all is a divided Washington, with one party holding the executive branch and the opposition (or a split) holding the legislative.
—Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 12 July 2020
Brookfield Clerk Kelly Michaels chairs the legislative and communications and advocacy committee for the clerks' association.
—Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2021
Democrats are pinning their hopes on Frank Ramirez, a young former legislative and City Council aide.
—Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legislative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near legislative
Cite this Entry
“Legislative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislative. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
legislative
adjective
leg·is·la·tive
ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tiv
1
a
: having the power or performing the function of legislating
b
: belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations compare administrative sense 2, executive, judicial
2
a
: of or relating to a legislature
legislative committees
b
: composed of members of a legislature
legislative caucus
c
: created or effectuated by a legislature especially as distinguished from an executive or judicial body
d
: designed to assist a legislature or its members
a legislative research agency
3
: of, concerned with, or created by legislation
legislatively
adverb
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