legislate

[lej-is-leyt]

verb (used without object)

legislated, legislating 

1. to exercise the function of legislation; make or enact laws.

verb (used with object)

legislated, legislating 

1. to create, provide, or control by legislation.

   attempts to legislate morality.

legislate

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to make or pass laws

2. (tr) to bring into effect by legislation

Other Word Forms

• overlegislate verb
• quasi-legislated adjective
• unlegislated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislate¹

First recorded in 1710–20; back formation from legislation, legislator

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislate¹

C18: back formation from _legislator

Example Sentences

Even those who approve of legislating against femicide agree that it must come with far broader measures against gender inequality.

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A spokesperson for the EU executive later stressed Europe's "sovereign right to legislate".

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WSJ Analysis The U.S. plan rests on a series of promises by Russia, including legislating in its parliament a policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine.

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States that legislate through prohibition and political signaling risk higher costs, slower growth, and eroded credibility.

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This matters because the government is going to have to legislate to bring in some of the changes, and that means there will be votes in Parliament.

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Related Words

• enact