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 city’s legislature now comprises only pro-Beijing loyalists, while most pro-democracy figures are either in jail or in exile overseas. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 If Newsom vetoes the bill, the legislature could decide to hold another vote to override the veto. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But Poppe said the effort isn’t necessarily dead and the legislature could also return for a special session to take up the issue. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 Fellow Dems see the race as a golden chance to make inroads in a GOP-heavy legislature. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on legislature

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for legislature

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legislature

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