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
Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
While a majority of Republicans remain opposed to the change, enough broke rank to buck the efforts of Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to kill her efforts to allow proxy voting for these parents, handing him a public legislative defeat.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
With Republicans currently controlling both houses of Congress by thin margins, significant legislative could certainly follow, but could still prove difficult on some hot button issues.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislative
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Adjective
Successful adaptation to political changes in America lies in the symbiotic relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
While a majority of Republicans remain opposed to the change, enough broke rank to buck the efforts of Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to kill her efforts to allow proxy voting for these parents, handing him a public legislative defeat.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
This column is about one important concept: that our system of government is made up of three equal parts: the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
With Republicans currently controlling both houses of Congress by thin margins, significant legislative could certainly follow, but could still prove difficult on some hot button issues.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislative
Cite this Entry
“Legislative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislative. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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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