legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslā-ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr
Synonyms of legislatornext
: one that makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial
ˌle-jə-slə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce legislator (audio)
adjective
legislatorship
ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər-ˌship How to pronounce legislator (audio)
noun

Synonyms of legislator

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Examples of legislator in a Sentence

Write to your state legislator. the legislators met in an all-night session to hammer out the details of the bill
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.
Bush, running for the first time, chose as his sidekick a hard-right state legislator, Tom Feeney, who criticized Social Security and Medicare in a state with an enormous retiree population. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Demonstrators on Monday were joined by a handful of state legislators, as well as Attorney General William Tong. — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 According to the registry's website, the options were initially developed by referencing regional cookbooks, state historical societies, dishes recognized by state legislators over the years, and foods widely understood as state icons. — James Powel, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 In her 70s, Castañeda testified before state legislators about her experience, excerpts of which appear in the exhibition. — Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legislator

Word History

Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislator was circa 1513

Rhymes for legislator

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Browse Nearby Words

legislatively
legislator
legislatorial
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Cite this Entry

“Legislator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislator. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-ˌtȯ(ə)r How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslāt-ər How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws
especially : a member of a legislature

Legal Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tər, -ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial
ˌle-jəs-lə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce legislator (audio)
adjective
legislatorship noun
Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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