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

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

Opposition activists, hoping to build on that success, held a primary vote in 2020 to select the best candidates for the legislative council elections.

From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2021

The legislative council 153 consists of the governor and three official and two unofficial nominated members, and the executive of the same, with the exception that there is only one unofficial member.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various