legislature

[ lej-is-ley-cher ]
/ ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tʃər /

noun

a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government.

Origin of legislature

First recorded in 1670–80; legislat(or) + -ure

OTHER WORDS FROM legislature

sub·leg·is·la·ture, noun

Example sentences from the Web for legislatures

British Dictionary definitions for legislatures

legislature
/ (ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtʃə) /

noun

a body of persons vested with power to make, amend, and repeal laws Compare executive, judiciary