legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər  -ˌslā-ˌtȯr 

 also  ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr

: one that makes laws especially for a political unit

especially : a member of a legislative body

legislatorial

ˌle-jə-slə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

legislatorship

ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• lawgiver
• lawmaker
• solon

Examples of legislator in a Sentence

Write to your state legislator.

the legislators met in an all-night session to hammer out the details of the bill

Recent Examples on the Web

Moore told Maryland Matters that while a bill won't be part of his 2025 legislative package, his office will work with legislators and push for its passage. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Luigi Mangione is also the cousin of Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesperson for the Republican lawmaker’s office confirmed to the Associated Press. —Nik Popli, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Despite the intervention, enough legislators gained access to the chamber and unanimously rejected Yoon's decree, prompting the Cabinet to lift it before dawn on December 4. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

As part of the resolution, supervisors asked that the county's request be sent directly to Gov. Tony Evers and each legislator whose district includes Waukesha County, plus the Wisconsin Counties Association. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-ˌtȯ(ə)r  -ˌslāt-ər 

: a person who makes laws

especially : a member of a legislature

Legal Definition

legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tər, -ˌtȯr 

: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit

especially : a member of a legislative body

legislatorial

ˌle-jəs-lə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

adjective

legislatorship noun

Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose