legislation

The word “legislation” means the process of drafting and passing laws. In plain terms, legislation is either the act of making laws or the laws themselves once passed.

“Legislation” is pronounced lehd-zhih-SLAY-shuhn (/ˌlɛd͡ʒɪˈsleɪʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “legislation” used in a sentence: “The bill went through months of legislation before it passed.”

“Legislation” is a noun.

The word “legislation” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin legislatio, "the giving of law" — built from legislate plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.

“Legislation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Legislation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of drafting and passing laws.

Legislation is law that has been formally written and passed by a legislature, such as a parliament or congress. 'Law' is the broader term, covering not only legislation but also court rulings, constitutions, and long-standing custom. All legislation is law, but not all law begins as legislation.

Legislation is created by an elected law-making body and sets out broad rules and powers. Regulations are more detailed rules made by government departments or agencies acting under the authority that legislation gives them. In short, legislation sets the framework, and regulations fill in the practical detail.

A well-known example is an act of parliament or congress, such as a law setting the minimum wage or protecting the environment. Legislation begins as a bill, is debated and amended, and becomes law once formally approved. Statutes on tax, health, and road safety are all forms of legislation.

Legislation is made by a legislature, an elected law-making body such as a parliament, congress, or assembly. Members propose, debate, and vote on bills, and a bill becomes legislation once approved and formally enacted. In many countries a head of state, such as a president or monarch, gives the final sign-off.