legislative council

American  

noun

1. the upper house of a bicameral legislature.

2. a unicameral legislature in a British colony consisting of the governor, official members appointed by the governor, and unofficial members representing the Indigenous population.

3. a committee composed of members of both houses of a state legislature that meets between sessions to study particular problems and develop programs for the next session.

---

legislative council British  

noun

1. the upper chamber of certain bicameral legislatures, such as those of the Indian and Australian states

2. the unicameral legislature of certain colonies or dependent territories

3. (in the US) a committee composed of members of both chambers of a state legislature, that meets to discuss problems, construct a legislative programme, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of legislative council

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

legislative council

The recent tragedy came as the Hong Kong government has been campaigning to boost turnout for a legislative council election scheduled for Dec. 7.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 2025

As president, Sharaa would form an interim legislative council to help govern until a new constitution was approved, he said.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2025

A news release from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association says its legislative council voted for the change on Thursday, effective immediately.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2022

One of the restrictions put in place was a system of extensive vetting of candidates for chief executive and the city’s legislative council.

From New York Times ● Apr. 6, 2022

The legislative council on each occasion was prepared to pay what was due to the postmaster, but the assembly could not be brought to authorize it.

From The History of the Post Office in British North America by Sir William Smith