legislate

[ lej-is-leyt ]

/ ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪt /

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See synonyms for: legislate / legislated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), leg·is·lat·ed, leg·is·lat·ing.

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

verb (used with object), leg·is·lat·ed, leg·is·lat·ing.

to create, provide, or control by legislation: attempts to legislate morality.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of legislate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM legislate

o·ver·leg·is·late, verb, o·ver·leg·is·lat·ed, o·ver·leg·is·lat·ing.qua·si-leg·is·lat·ed, adjectiveun·leg·is·lat·ed, adjective

Words nearby legislate

legionnaires' disease, Legion of Honor, Legion of Honour, Legion of Merit, legis., legislate, legislation, legislative, Legislative Assembly, legislative branch, legislative council

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use legislate in a sentence

Months after face coverings emerged as a tension point in the pandemic — and as some Americans still refuse to wear them — Republicans in a number of statehouses have refused to cover their faces while legislating.
Iowa’s House speaker said he can’t make lawmakers wear masks — but he did enforce a ban on jeans|Teo Armus|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
I think what it shows is the huge crisis we’re in as a result of failure to legislate.
‘Disinformation can be a very lucrative business, especially if you’re good at it,’ media scholar says|Joe Heim|January 19, 2021|Washington Post
Mitch McConnell has made it very clear he does not want to legislate.
The Trailer: The 10 crucial counties, revisited|David Weigel|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
The stakeholder approach would use antitrust to accomplish what shareholders did not sign up for, what many officers and directors have not seen fit to implement, and what state capitols and Congress have failed to legislate.
FTC commissioner: Is antitrust the next stakeholder capitalism battleground?|jakemeth|September 26, 2020|Fortune

The government has said, however it will legislate to end deals like “buy one get one free” for HFSS products.
‘Just waiting for the knockout blow’: U.K. government’s junk food ad ban yet another hit for already battered publishers|Lara O'Reilly|July 28, 2020|Digiday
And it might not only be in Britain that politicians rush to legislate.
ISIS Has a Message. Do We?|Jamie Dettmer|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No politician has the right to legislate for the awful things that can happen during pregnancy.
Tennessee Voters Face a Loaded Abortion Question|Eleanor Clift|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Are we in danger, in the rush to legislate, of ruining the moment?
Does California’s College Rape Bill Go Too Far In Regulating Sex?|Emma Woolf|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These are excuses offered up by a party that is too divided to govern and legislate.
In Passover Phone Conversation, Eric Cantor Slams Obama|Eleanor Clift|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now that all efforts to legislate gun control are stalled, it may be time for mental-health legislation to stand on its own.
The House’s GOP Psychologist May Finally Get a Mental-Health Bill Passed|Eleanor Clift|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The empire rules the army and can legislate over and control a prodigious amount of national subjects.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8|Various
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
Key-Notes of American Liberty|Various
Hence He could legislate for man's thoughts, as well as his deeds.
Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel|Frank G. Allen
But the Radicals were in power to legislate and crush agriculture, and "I've got a miser for my brother-in-law," said the farmer.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith
Are they not every day incurring new and useless expenses in consequence of allowing them to legislate and plan for themselves?
The Portland Sketch Book|Various

British Dictionary definitions for legislate

legislate

/ (ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt) /

verb

(intr) to make or pass laws

(tr) to bring into effect by legislation

Word Origin for legislate

C18: back formation from legislator

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

legislate

Origin of legislate

OTHER WORDS FROM legislate

Words nearby legislate

Words related to legislate

How to use legislate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for legislate

Word Origin for legislate