legislative branch

noun

plural legislative branches
: the branch of a government that is charged with such powers as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making financial appropriations : legislature, legislative compare executive branch, judicial branch

Examples of legislative branch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Democrats realistically have few tools at their disposal to constrain Trump, with Republicans in control of both chambers of the legislative branch. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 The only answer for our country on that one is to use the legislative branch to finally have permanency in a 50-state requirement for all emissions — not just CO2, but everything. Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026 He has been articulate in his arguments about the need to end dysfunction in Congress and strengthen the legislative branch to maintain the balance of power outlined in our Constitution. Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Surveillance efforts extended to the legislative branch, with investigators obtaining the cell phone toll records of at least 13 members of Congress, including eight U.S. senators and five representatives. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2026 This would reset the balance between the executive and legislative branches, demanding the House and Senate not cede excessive authority to unelected bureaucrats who are only too happy to usurp legislative powers. Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026 The 1973 War Powers Resolution — which Congress passed in response to the Vietnam War as a check on the president's power to enter armed conflict without consent from the legislative branch — capped any unauthorized engagement at 60 days. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislative branch was in 1788

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Cite this Entry

“Legislative branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislative%20branch. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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