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

Talley told the group chat: “I’m going to try and use the levers of the legislative branch to check into his detention.”

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Mr. Maher complains about this, saying that while the Constitution gives primacy of power to Congress, in its current form the State of the Union exalts the president while diminishing the legislative branch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

He wrote that while “it can be tempting to bypass Congress when some pressing problems arise,” the legislative branch should be taken into account with major policies, particularly those involving taxes and tariffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

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

Congress denies it, and asserts the right to belong to the legislative branch.

From American Eloquence, Volume 4 Studies In American Political History (1897) by Johnston, Alexander