legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən 
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
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
To avoid a painful shutdown, Congress will need to pass legislation designating new spending level or extend current ones.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Texan highways started seeing autonomous semi trucks by 2021, the same year the Texas House passed legislation that filled in some missing gaps.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
He was criticized at the time for vetoing the bill to fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the very legislation that’s now driving a huge portion of our deficit, a veto later undone by the Democratic supermajority in our legislature.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025
Similar legislation has passed in Florida and Indiana.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legislation 
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Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Texan highways started seeing autonomous semi trucks by 2021, the same year the Texas House passed legislation that filled in some missing gaps.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 10 Feb. 2025
He was criticized at the time for vetoing the bill to fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the very legislation that’s now driving a huge portion of our deficit, a veto later undone by the Democratic supermajority in our legislature.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025
Similar legislation has passed in Florida and Indiana.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legislation
Dictionary Entries Near legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən
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
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
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