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

Both chambers of Congress - the legislative branch of US government - approved a measure that compels the US justice department to release all files pertaining to its investigation into Epstein.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Senate lawmakers were also expected to consider three separate appropriations bills to fund military construction, veterans affairs, the legislative branch, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture, collectively called the “minibus.”

From Barron's • Nov. 9, 2025

The founders may have opted for more permissive language because they were relying on norms and a jealous legislative branch to constrain presidential adventurism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

It hands the legislative branch discretion to decide how the public’s money is spent.

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2025

In England and some continental European states the power of declaring war belongs to the crown, though the means of carrying it on must be provided by the legislative branch of the government.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford