legislative
Americanadjective
-
having the function of making laws.
a legislative body.
-
of or relating to the enactment of laws.
legislative proceedings; legislative power.
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pertaining to a legislature.
a legislative recess.
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enacted or ordained by legislation or a legislature.
legislative ruling; legislative remedy.
noun
adjective
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of or relating to legislation
-
having the power or function of legislating
a legislative assembly
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of or relating to a legislature
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of legislative
First recorded in 1635–45; legislat(ion) + -ive
Explanation
Legislative is an adjective that describes the act or process of passing laws. Congress is the legislative branch of the United States government. They're the ones who can pass bills, which the president can sign into law or veto. A legislator is someone charged with creating and passing new laws in the legislature. All of these words come from the same root words — lex and legis (meaning "law") and lator (meaning "proposer"). So a legislator is literally a proposer of law, and their actions are legislative in nature. If you are interested in the legislative process, you might consider going to law school and running for office. Or you might just enjoy a movie about politics instead.
Vocabulary lists containing legislative
U.S. Government Lingo
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The American Revolution - Introductory
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Civics I
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The junta established under N'Tam, a close associate of Embalo, has set December 6 as the date for presidential and legislative elections meant to restore civilian rule.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
In a video address over the weekend, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said: “We will also lend our full support to legislative efforts to change New York’s sexual assault laws.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Right now, they’re in the midst of thinking about crafting a legislative agenda, knowing affordability, including housing costs, will be a core issue in the midterm elections, she said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
In the final hours of the 2026 California legislative season, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a suite of closely watched legislation on energy and the environment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
“Women who had never before heard their own voices in a public meeting discussed points of law and constitution in a manner that would have done credit to any legislative assembly.”
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
