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

Tennessee adjourned its annual legislative session last week, meaning the governor would have to call a new special session for the legislature to vote on new maps. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

The rapid growth of prediction markets has sparked a high-stakes debate that is playing out in courts and legislatures all over the country. —Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

In 2022, the legislature passed a set of reforms that limits the amount that the state can take. —Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026

In Tennessee, both leading GOP candidates for governor urged the state legislature to eliminate a majority-Black district in Memphis. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 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