legislature

[lej-is-ley-cher]

noun

1. a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government.

legislature

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə /

noun

1. a body of persons vested with power to make, amend, and repeal laws Compare executive judiciary

Other Word Forms

• sublegislature noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislature¹

First recorded in 1670–80; legislat(or) + -ure

Example Sentences

The beneficiaries include candidates running for state legislature and city council.

From Los Angeles Times

The Missouri Democratic Party first declared its support for the move as the redistricting bill was percolating in the Missouri legislature.

From Salon

Lifting the mandates on other vaccines would require a change to the Florida Administrative Code, which would have to go through the state legislature, medical experts told the BBC.

From BBC

They recommended several measures, including legislatures working to “prevent emergency powers from hardening into permanent authority.”

From Salon

Many in the LegCo are known to be pro-Beijing since China passed a law that only "patriots" can be part of the legislature, while the Hong Kong government's chief executive is essentially hand-picked by Beijing.

From BBC

Related Words

• body 
• chamber 
• house 
• parliament