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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As recent as a decade ago, this would have been considered so obvious as to not even require legislation. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation to force a sale of TikTok, amid national security concerns, and the company challenged the new law in court. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024 And other states continue to follow suit: Ohio’s legislature passed similar legislation and sent it to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who signed it into law Nov. 27. Madison Czopek, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024 This legislation would ensure defendants can quickly end meritless, speech-suppressing lawsuits in federal court and recover their legal costs. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legislation 

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 17 Dec. 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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