legislature

American  

[lej-is-ley-cher] / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tʃər /

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.

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legislature British  

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• sublegislature noun

Etymology

Origin of legislature

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

Example Sentences

The bill was shelved before the legislature could vote on it.

From Los Angeles Times

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is among some 60 female lawmakers petitioning for more women's toilets in the parliament building to match their growing representation in the legislature.

From BBC

Power transfer: Though the legislature has traditionally appointed the majority of the trustees for individual schools, the governor also made a share of these appointments.

From Salon

In response the legislature voted to eliminate some of the state’s most controversial fees and effectively nullify others.

From Los Angeles Times

In her second term, she introduced a constitutional amendment to reserve 45 seats in the legislature for female MPs, and worked to educate young women - in a country where 70% of them were illiterate.

From BBC

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament