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

The deal funds the government through Jan. 30 and includes full-year funding for military construction, the legislative branch, and the Department of Agriculture.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

The legislative branch would have chambers representing the people and the states, holding the power of the purse and the power to make law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

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

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2025

The Bank's charter, he reminded Congress, would expire in 1836; request for a new charter would probably soon be forthcoming; the matter could not receive too early attention from the legislative branch.

From The Reign of Andrew Jackson by Ogg, Frederic Austin