legislation

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of legislating
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules (such as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization
the major function of Congress is legislation W. S. Sayre
2
: the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body
legislation to help distressed homeowners
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
She proposed new legislation to protect the environment.

Examples of legislation in a Sentence

They passed new state legislation this week. Two new pieces of legislation are being considered. She introduced legislation for protecting the environment. More legislation is needed on this matter. Certain animals are protected under state legislation. One of the important functions of government is legislation.
Recent Examples on the Web Geothermal energy could get faster permits under bipartisan legislation that the House passed Tuesday night. Daniel Moore, Axios, 25 Sep. 2024 The government is expected to follow through with a legislation to recognize gender identity. Patpicha Tanakasempipat / Bloomberg, TIME, 25 Sep. 2024 In 2023, Democrats voted for pro-environmental legislation more than 90% of the time, while Republicans voted for pro-environmental legislation less than 5% of the time, according to voting data collected by the League of Conservation Voters. Grace Manthey, CBS News, 25 Sep. 2024 Republicans had to scrap spending legislation that failed on the floor last week after 14 GOP members voted against a six-month continuing resolution paired with the SAVE Act, a voting integrity measure favored by hard-line conservatives. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legislation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legislation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislation was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near legislation

Cite this Entry

“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the action of making laws
2
: the laws made by a legislator or legislative body

Legal Definition

legislation

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tion ˌle-jəs-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce legislation (audio)
1
: the making or giving of laws
specifically : the exercise of the power and function of making rules that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of the state
2
: the enactments of a legislator or legislative body
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
recently proposed legislation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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