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

Jeri, the former speaker of the country's legislature, is not running for president.

From Barron's

Repealing it requires that the legislature pass two identical resolutions to amend the Constitution in successive sessions separated by an election and, ultimately, voter approval in a statewide referendum.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Wednesday night, hundreds of mourners gathered for a moment of silence in Tumbler Ridge's main square and outside the British Columbia legislature in Victoria.

From BBC

That substantial margin of victory gives Takaichi’s administration overwhelming control over Japan’s legislature.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Pinsker reminds us that Lincoln also hand-picked the Republican candidates for state legislature that year—knowing that senators of the day were elected by the legislature, not a direct vote of the people.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• body
• chamber
• house
• parliament