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

Delegitimizing the judiciary, the last constitutional brake when the legislature is co-opted and feckless? —Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025

Civil rights advocates who oppose a pair of bills in the Texas legislature meant to protect law enforcement officers from unsubstantiated complaints of misconduct say the bills would also stymie efforts for transparency. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025

Republican opposition within the state has fought aggressively against Mills, the Democrat majority in the legislature and educational bodies that have firmly stood in support of trans inclusion. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Senate Democrats argue the executive branch holds no power to dismantle an organization — USAID — that was established by Congress or hold back funds appropriated by the legislature. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legislature

• nomenclature
• nature

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