legislature
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- sublegislature noun
Etymology
Origin of legislature
First recorded in 1670–80; legislat(or) + -ure
Explanation
A legislature is a governing body that makes laws and can also amend or repeal them. The word legislature comes from the Latin word for "law" — legis. In the US, each state has a legislature — made up of the elected state senators and assemblymen or women, or representatives. The US Congress is the national legislature. These bodies, whose members are often referred to as "law-makers," make up the legislative branch of government, as distinct from the executive and judicial branches.
Vocabulary lists containing legislature
U.S. Government Lingo
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Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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The American Revolution - Introductory
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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.
And lawmakers also passed a non-binding vote in the province's legislature calling on the CEO to resign.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
“Now I have a third of the legislature following my Facebook page.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
South Korea’s legislature this week approved legislation clearing the way for $350 billion in investments in the U.S., part of the bargain Seoul made with Washington.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026
Earlier this week, a group of First Nations leaders gathered at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton to call on the provincial premier, Danielle Smith, to quash any possible succession referendum.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
Several ran for public office, and there were two superior court justices, one municipal court judge, two members of the California state legislature, and one prominent state official.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
