legislative branch

American  

[lej-is-ley-tiv branch] / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tɪv ˌbræntʃ /

noun

legislative branches plural

1. the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature.

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legislative branch Cultural  

1. The branch of the federal and state government empowered to make the laws that are then enforced by the executive branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. The legislative branch consists of Congress and the fifty state legislatures. At both state and federal levels, legislatures are made up of popularly elected representatives, who propose laws that are sensitive to the needs and interests of their local constituents. After a law is proposed as a bill, it is sent to appropriate committees for several stages of discussion, research, and modification. It is then debated in both legislative houses — except in Nebraska, which has a single-house legislature — and put to a vote. If the law is passed, it is still subject to further modification and final vote by both houses. Under the system of checks and balances, the president can refuse to sign the bill into law (through the veto power). The legislature can then vote to override the veto. Other checks and balances include legislative powers to impeach public officials (see impeachment), confirm appointments to the executive and judicial branches, and vote on appropriations.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• legislative branches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of legislative branch

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

I don’t know how you legislate against greed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

“This has gone too far,” Hochul said in a statement, calling on Congress to legislate against unmanned aircraft systems and drones.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2024

To address these issues, Murray and his colleagues pressured the colonial government to legislate against the exportation of artefacts and to establish museums.

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2024

“No one should legislate against opportunity,” he said.

From Washington Post • Jan. 29, 2021

The above bill was brief, but pointed; and showed that Connecticut was the only one of the New-England colonies that had the honesty and courage to legislate against slavery.

From History of the Negro Race in America From 1619 to 1880. Vol 1 Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens by Williams, George Washington