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

But others ponder just how British it is to curb repeated protests - the plan Mahmood now plans to legislate for.

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But the party says it would legislate to prevent courts having regard to it in asylum cases, with a pledge to leave if "activist judges attempt to override Parliament".

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At Labour's conference, Miliband said he wanted to legislate at the earliest opportunity and launch a national campaign against fracking in the meantime.

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Tony Blair's Labour government legislated for voluntary ID cards in the early 2000s.

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Ministers have also previously faced pressure from the Conservatives to legislate for an England-wide ban on smartphones in schools.

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Related Words

• enact