legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər 

 also  ˌle-jə-ˈslā-,

 British often  ˈle-jə-slə-chə

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit

Examples of legislature in a Sentence

Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.

Each state has its own legislature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Similar proposals are under consideration in the legislatures of California, Maryland and Massachusetts. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Advertisement The session was the legislature’s 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022. —Sally Abou Aljoud and Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

The legislature is required to adjourn the 2025 session by April 29th. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025

Sanchez will propose the Protect Girls’ Sports Act to the state legislature. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-chər 

: an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws

Legal Definition

legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r 

: a body of persons having the power to legislate

specifically : an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit (as a nation or state) compare executive, judiciary