legislature

noun

leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər How to pronounce legislature (audio)
also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-
British often ˈle-jə-slə-chə
Synonyms of legislaturenext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The primary race comes months after the Florida legislature voted to redraw congressional lines that added Black voters to District 24 while nearby District 20, a historically Black voting district, saw an increase in white neighborhoods. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Then, in October, Bolivia’s legislature passed Law 2029 (the Drinking Water and Sanitation Law), which would allow for the privatization of Bolivia’s drinking water and sewage services. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 Second trial in two years Shlosberg, 63, is Yabloko’s deputy chairman and served in the regional legislature of Pskov from 2016-21. — CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Shlosberg, 63, is Yabloko's deputy chairman and served in the regional legislature of Pskov from 2016-21. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legislature

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislature was circa 1676

Rhymes for legislature

See All Rhymes for legislature

Browse Nearby Words

legislatress
legislature
legist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legislature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislature. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

legislature

noun
leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-chər How to pronounce legislature (audio)
: an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws

Legal Definition

legislature

noun
leg·​is·​la·​ture ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r How to pronounce legislature (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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