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.
The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, Cape Cod’s legislative branch of its regional government, has approved modifying the language of the patriotic ceremony held at the beginning of every meeting. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026 They’d be upset about Article One of the Constitution, the legislative branch abdicating its powers; that is, the people’s power to wage war and to levy tariffs. Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026 Our legislative branch is duty-bound to rein in the executive branch when necessary. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 The rules regarding this are clearly outlined in both Articles 1 and 2 of the Constitution for the roles between the executive and legislative branches. Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 The price of goods like gasoline suggest we are not headed in the correct direction, our legislative branch lacks real leadership and fails to exert itself as the safeguard it is meant to be on the executive branch. Kevin Fixler may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026 At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war. Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 May 2026 The Constitution gives the power to declare war to the legislative branch, and Trump neither sought nor received it in this case. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026 But if the parties seldom work together in Congress and almost never work together between the executive and legislative branches, then things start to fall apart. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025

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 28 May. 2026.

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