verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

legislate

LEJ-iss-layt

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Legislate (verb) means to make laws, including changing or cancelling laws that already exist. Example: “Parliament plans to legislate against the sale of these chemicals next year.”

verb

To make laws, including changing or cancelling laws that already exist.

"Parliament plans to legislate against the sale of these chemicals next year."

"Governments often struggle to legislate quickly enough to keep pace with new technology."

"The council has no power to legislate on matters reserved for national government."

How to use legislate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make or change the law.

When to use it

It's a formal word, mostly used about parliaments, governments and other official law-making bodies.

Memory tip

Legislate is always followed by for, against or on when you name what the law covers, not a direct object.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

legislature → legislation →

Common pairings

legislate against legislate for power to legislate legislate on an issue fail to legislate

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “legislate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Parliament plans to _____ against the sale of these chemicals next year.

Etymology

The verb was formed by working backwards from the existing nouns legislation and legislator, stripping their endings to create a matching verb. This kind of formation, building a shorter word from a longer one already in use, is called a back-formation.

Origin: English

Rhymes for legislate

ate date rate mate abate slate plate state create update locate relate

See all rhymes for legislate →

Frequently asked questions

What does legislate mean?

It means to create or pass laws, or to change or remove laws that already exist.

What's the difference between legislate and legislation?

Legislate is the verb for the act of making laws, while legislation is the noun for the laws themselves or the process as a whole.

Can you say "legislate for" and "legislate against" something?

Yes, both are standard: legislate for means to pass a law supporting something, and legislate against means to pass a law banning or restricting it.

What is the meaning of legislate?

"legislate" (verb) means to make laws, including changing or cancelling laws that already exist.