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

If this is the will of the legislature, then that standard needs to be set across the board for all projects. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

The legislature enacted the gun control law at issue by a partisan vote on May 26 and the Dooley’s decision drew predictable political reaction. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026

In the meantime, the Indiana legislature passed legislation earlier this year to help incentivize a possible Bears move to the Hoosier state. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

The office added that debates over the effectiveness of the registry should be left to lawmakers in the legislature, rather than decided by the judicial branch. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

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