legislation
lehd-zhih-SLAY-shuhn
Legislation (noun) means the process of drafting and passing laws. Example: “The bill went through months of legislation before it passed.”
noun
1
The process of drafting and passing laws.
"The bill went through months of legislation before it passed."
"Legislation is a slow job, with many committees reading every clause carefully."
"The minister said that legislation on the matter would take at least a year."
2
A law, or a body of laws, that has been formally passed by a government.
"New legislation requires all restaurants to display calorie counts."
"The government introduced legislation to tighten data privacy rules."
"The legislation protects tenants from being evicted without proper notice."
How to use legislation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLegislation is either the act of making laws or the laws themselves once passed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pass legislation
introduce legislation
draft legislation
proposed legislation
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Word forms
- Plural
- legislations
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The bill went through months of _____ before it passed.
Etymology
From Late Latin legislatio, "the giving of law" — built from legislate plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.
Related words
Rhymes for legislation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for legislation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “legislation” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “legislation”?
“Legislation” is pronounced lehd-zhih-SLAY-shuhn (/ˌlɛd͡ʒɪˈsleɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “legislation” in a sentence?
Here is “legislation” used in a sentence: “The bill went through months of legislation before it passed.”
What part of speech is “legislation”?
“Legislation” is a noun.
Where does the word “legislation” come from?
The word “legislation” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin legislatio, "the giving of law" — built from legislate plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.
Is “legislation” a common word?
“Legislation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “legislation” have?
“Legislation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of drafting and passing laws.
What is the difference between legislation and law?
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.
What is the difference between legislation and regulation?
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.
What is an example of legislation?
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.
Who makes 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.
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