legislature
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Hinson, the outgoing representative of Florida’s 21st House district, told Salon that Nixon has been a “leading force in protest” against the opposition in the Florida Legislature since she arrived there in 2020.
From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026
It pointed to laws passed by the state Legislature last year that allow election officials to begin processing mail ballots earlier and require them to finish counting ballots sooner.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026
She resigned as health director in June 2020 because, she later said, the Legislature pressured her to open Ohio’s county fairs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
“There is a fence around us on what we get to do. We are working with a severe handicap,” Eagle told the group, referring to the Legislature.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
Once she identified the problem, Anthony knew what to do: She would go to the New York State Legislature and change the law.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
