legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər 
also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-,
British often ˈle-jə-slə-chə
: a body of persons having the power to legislate
specifically
: an organized body having the authority to make laws for a political unit
Examples of legislature in a Sentence
Our legislature passed a law requiring people to wear safety belts.
Each state has its own legislature.
Recent Examples on the Web
As more state legislatures look for ways to shape academic programs and direct the curricula at public colleges and universities, HB 265 could become their model.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
Related Articles Senate gears up for big floor fight over gun limits — the first of the session — in the Colorado legislature this week
When wolves kill livestock, should Colorado grant ranchers anonymity for compensation claims?
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
The state legislature then passed a shield law allowing officials to keep lethal injection drug suppliers private.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Sign up for Axios Communicators Tina Reed Jan 6, 2025 - Health
More states crank up oversight of health insurers
Mounting public anger over health insurance is leading more state legislatures to eye tighter oversight of the industry, starting with its use of AI to screen claims and issue denials.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legislature 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
Related Articles Senate gears up for big floor fight over gun limits — the first of the session — in the Colorado legislature this week
When wolves kill livestock, should Colorado grant ranchers anonymity for compensation claims?
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025
The state legislature then passed a shield law allowing officials to keep lethal injection drug suppliers private.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Sign up for Axios Communicators Tina Reed Jan 6, 2025 - Health
More states crank up oversight of health insurers
Mounting public anger over health insurance is leading more state legislatures to eye tighter oversight of the industry, starting with its use of AI to screen claims and issue denials.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legislature
Dictionary Entries Near legislature
Cite this Entry
“Legislature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislature. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-chər
: an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws
Legal Definition
legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r
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