legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
| \ ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-
, British often ˈle-jə-slə-chə\
, British often ˈle-jə-slə-chə\
Definition of legislature
: 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
On Friday, a measure that would’ve allowed the company to use tax-free state bonds to pay off its fire claims stalled in California’s legislature. — Los Angeles Times, "PG&E looks to cap wildfire costs at $18 billion through its bankruptcy plan," 9 Sep. 2019 The Maryland Racing Commission recently notified the legislature’s joint audit committee that most of the public subsidies spent on racetrack upgrades were awarded to the Maryland Jockey Club without the approved spending plans required by law. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland legislature probes horse racing panel’s oversight of subsidies for racetracks," 6 Sep. 2019 The South China Morning Post newspaper cited an unidentified government source as saying the bill would be withdrawn before the city’s legislature resumes in October. — Washington Post, "Hong Kong government to meet amid bill withdrawal rumors," 4 Sep. 2019 Five years ago, China’s legislature handed down a decision that dashed hopes that Hong Kong’s future leaders would be chosen democratically, which kicked off the Umbrella Movement. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "Hong Kong’s protests passed a notable milestone, and sensitive days lie ahead," 30 Aug. 2019 After Republicans won North Carolina’s state legislature and governorship in 2012, the state legislation voted to repeal the Racial Justice Act — and Governor Pat McCrory signed the repeal into law the following year. — Madeleine Carlisle, Time, "Their Death Sentences Were Overturned Because of Racial Bias. Now North Carolina Might Leave Them Back on Death Row," 26 Aug. 2019 Program growth Both the state legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board have given the system the go-ahead to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, cybersecurity and energy, manufacturing and skilled trades. — Jane Stueckemann, Houston Chronicle, "Lone Star College Chancellor Stephen Head gives overview of system at annual convocation," 20 Aug. 2019 That person would need confirmation from a majority in both houses of the island’s legislature. — Michael Deibert, Fortune, "The Successor for Puerto Rican Governor Doesn’t Want the Job. Here’s Who’s Next in Line," 29 July 2019 In January 2018, Vermont became the first state to legalize the consumption and possession of recreational marijuana through a state legislature. — refinery29.com, "All The States Where Weed Is Legal," 25 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'legislature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for legislature
legislature
noun
English Language Learners Definition of legislature
: a group of people with the power to make or change laws
See the full definition for legislature in the English Language Learners Dictionary
legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
| \ ˈle-jə-ˌslā-chər
\
\
Kids Definition of legislature
: a body of persons having the power to make and change laws
legislature
noun
leg·is·la·ture
| \ ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-chər, -ˌchu̇r
\
\
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