legislature
Legislature (noun) means an official body of people, such as a parliament or congress, with the power to make, change, and repeal laws. Example: “The state legislature voted to raise the minimum wage.”
How to Use Legislature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe group of elected people (like a parliament, congress, or state assembly) whose job is to make laws.
Word Forms
legislatures plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The state _____ voted to raise the minimum wage.
Etymology
From the stem of Latin legislator plus -ure, matching French législature; first recorded in English in the 1670s.
Related Words
Rhymes for legislature
See all rhymes for legislature →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “legislature” mean?
The word “legislature” means an official body of people, such as a parliament or congress, with the power to make, change, and repeal laws. In plain terms, the group of elected people (like a parliament, congress, or state assembly) whose job is to make laws.
How do you pronounce “legislature”?
“Legislature” is pronounced LEHD-zhihs-luh-choor (/ˈlɛd͡ʒɪˌsleɪt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “legislature” in a sentence?
Here is “legislature” used in a sentence: “The state legislature voted to raise the minimum wage.”
What is another word for “legislature”?
Words with a similar meaning to “legislature” include legislative body.
What part of speech is “legislature”?
“Legislature” is a noun.
Where does the word “legislature” come from?
The word “legislature” dates back to around 1670 and comes from Latin. From the stem of Latin legislator plus -ure, matching French législature; first recorded in English in the 1670s.
Is “legislature” a common word?
“Legislature” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a legislature and a parliament?
A legislature is any official body with the power to make, change, and repeal laws. "Parliament" and "congress" are specific names for such bodies in particular countries, so a parliament is one type of legislature.
What is the difference between a legislature and the executive?
The legislature is the branch of government that makes the laws, such as a parliament or congress. The executive is the branch that carries out and enforces those laws, such as a president, prime minister, and their departments.
Is "legislature" the same as "legislation"?
No. A "legislature" is the body of people who make laws, while "legislation" is the laws themselves or the process of making them. The legislature produces legislation.
What is the difference between a legislature and a legislator?
A "legislature" is the whole law-making body, such as a congress or parliament. A "legislator" is a single member of that body, one of the individual people who help make the laws.