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Synonyms

legislature

American  
[lej-is-ley-cher] / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tʃər /

noun

  1. a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government.

legislature British  
/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə /

noun

  1. a body of persons vested with power to make, amend, and repeal laws Compare executive judiciary

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • sublegislature noun

Etymology

Origin of legislature

First recorded in 1670–80; legislat(or) + -ure

Explanation

A legislature is a governing body that makes laws and can also amend or repeal them. The word legislature comes from the Latin word for "law" — legis. In the US, each state has a legislature — made up of the elected state senators and assemblymen or women, or representatives. The US Congress is the national legislature. These bodies, whose members are often referred to as "law-makers," make up the legislative branch of government, as distinct from the executive and judicial branches.

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Vocabulary lists containing legislature

U.S. Government Lingo

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Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation

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The American Revolution - Introductory

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And lawmakers also passed a non-binding vote in the province's legislature calling on the CEO to resign.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The retirement follows criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and a Quebec legislature motion demanding Rousseau’s resignation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Bespectacled and known for his measured tone, the 68-year-old was believed to enjoy the confidence of the late Khamenei, after a long career in the military, media and legislature.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

While its 2019 constitution grants citizens the right to demonstrate, a law defining the extent of that right is currently stalled in the legislature.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Atticus was away in Montgomery in the legislature, Jem might as well have been with him for all she saw of him.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.