legislature

[lej-is-ley-cher]

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

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• sublegislature noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislature¹

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

Example Sentences

Otherwise, these minorities may be shut out from political representation in Congress, state legislatures or county boards.

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Senate Bill 323 is the second bill introduced in the state legislature this year that would classify a fetus as a human being from fertilization, effectively categorizing abortion as homicide.

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The court is likely to leave such questions about what is factually true for state legislatures to determine.

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The beneficiaries include candidates running for state legislature and city council.

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The Missouri Democratic Party first declared its support for the move as the redistricting bill was percolating in the Missouri legislature.

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Related Words

• body 
• chamber 
• house 
• parliament