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.
-
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.
Restoring balance means respecting the legislative process as the main way to achieve policy changes.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
While state legislative redraws have not been approached with the same urgency as congressional maps, other states could follow suit.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
Bipartisan support for the crypto industry’s biggest legislative priority helped a Senate committee approve the Clarity Act, a bill intended to clarify regulation of digital assets.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
This week, Sir Keir told MPs the defence investment plan was being "finalised" as he outlined his government's legislative programme in the King's Speech.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
The May-Johnson Bill would meet its legislative doom thanks to opposition from the scientists and public skepticism about military control, energized by public missteps such as the destruction of the Japanese cyclotrons.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
