legislator

[ lej-is-ley-ter ]

noun

1. a person who gives or makes laws.

   Synonyms: lawgiver, lawmaker

2. a member of a legislative body.

legislator

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person concerned with the making or enactment of laws
2. a member of a legislature

Derived Forms

• ˈlegisˌlatress, noun:feminine
• ˈlegisˌlatorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• legis·lator·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislator¹

1595–1605; < Latin phrase lēgis lātor a law's bringer (i.e., proposer), equivalent to lēgis (genitive of lēx law) + lātor bringer ( lā ( tus ), suppletive past participle of ferre to bring + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislator¹

C17: from Latin lēgis lātor, from lēx law + lātor from lātus, past participle of ferre to bring

Example Sentences

In Ohio, Josh Mandel announced his candidacy to replace Rob Portman, the temperate conservative and meticulous legislator who is retiring in 2022.

From Washington Post

FOP President Clyde Boatwright said his members are telling legislators to not let “the things that are happening nationally affect our policy.”

From Washington Post

Voters in Louisiana, Maryland and South Dakota approved sports-betting ballot measures in November, while legislators in Virginia and Washington state enacted bills earlier last year.

From Washington Post

Ellsberg contacted multiple legislators, but none would play ball.

From ProPublica

While the antitrust case against Alcoa was initially dismissed, the government won its appeal in 1945, providing legislators with the power to bust the trust.

From Washington Post

“Having been a legislator and a mayor, I particularly enjoy being a chief executive,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Such a man as Patrick Henry accepted office as a mere state legislator.

From The Daily Beast

He also supported restrictive measures on abortion as a state legislator in Massachusetts.

From The Daily Beast

So far, there is no evidence that Benton dealt directly with the disgraced legislator.

From The Daily Beast

Helena Wong, a legislator from the Democratic Party, joked on Facebook that the PLA had already “Occupied Central.”

From The Daily Beast

The chief ambition of the great conqueror and legislator was to be a good boatswain and a good ship's carpenter.

From Project Gutenberg

Several of the learned even assert that he was the same legislator whom the Greeks called Zoroaster.

From Project Gutenberg

It came three o'clock of the afternoon before nominations for the high office of legislator were the order of proceeding.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus far we have viewed Calvin in the light of a reformer and legislator, but his influence as a theologian is more remarkable.

From Project Gutenberg

"Oh, yes," said Mr. Wharton, who felt himself quite unable to follow with any interest the aspirations of the young legislator.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administrator
• council member
• deputy
• lawmaker
• leader
• member
• parliamentarian
• representative
• senator