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.

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legislature British  

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• sublegislature noun

Etymology

Origin of legislature

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

Example Sentences

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

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Last month, Indiana governor Mike Braun signed a bill to help fund a potential stadium in Hammond, Ind., after it passed the state legislature with broad bipartisan support.

From The Wall Street Journal

The midterm elections are scheduled for November, and will feature races for the US House of Representatives, a third of the US Senate, and multiple governor and state legislature races.

From BBC

“Now I have a third of the legislature following my Facebook page.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament