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

While Congress and state legislatures have passed reform to soften criminal sentencing laws, immigration detention remains, technically, a civil jurisdiction and outside their scope.

From Salon

He cited delays in South Korea’s legislature approving a pact struck in late October with the country’s president, Lee Jae Myung.

From The Wall Street Journal

Zhang’s father later became a three-star general, while Xi’s father went on to hold senior roles in the party, government and legislature.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some reps suggest pay in the $6,000 to $20,000 range—enough to cover bills with outside work while keeping the legislature amateur.

From The Wall Street Journal

The president, prime minister and chairman of the National Assembly must later be approved by a vote in the legislature.

From Barron's

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament