legislative
Americanadjective
-
having the function of making laws.
a legislative body.
-
of or relating to the enactment of laws.
legislative proceedings; legislative power.
-
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
-
of or relating to legislation
-
having the power or function of legislating
a legislative assembly
-
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 home secretary has the legislative power to extend licensing hours on occasions of "exceptional international, national or local significance".
From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026
While expectations for the House may evolve as the November election draws nearer, only 218 votes are needed for a legislative majority in the House.
From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026
Nickolaus Sackett, director of legislative affairs at Social Compassion in Legislation, said at last month’s hearing that the animals need “stability, care and a chance to live a normal life.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
Several studies over the years have found that a company’s stock price tends to be more volatile when it is the focus of legislative activity.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026
I didn’t listen to the call he made to his legislative aide that day, explaining that he’d miss the crime-bill vote.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
