Legislature

Definition

A deliberative assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city.

Parts of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

American English

IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɛdʒɪˌsleɪtʃər/
Respelling: LEJ-i-slay-cher (with "LEJ" as in "ledge," "i" as in "sit," "slay" as in "say," and "cher" as in "teacher")

British English

IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɛdʒɪslətʃər/
Respelling: LEJ-i-sla-chuh (with "LEJ" as in "ledge," "i" as in "sit," "sla" as in "slap," and "chuh" as in "sofa")

In both dialects, "legislature" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "LEJ." The pronunciation is similar across both American and British English, with differences in the latter part of the word: "slay-cher" (American) and "sla-chuh" (British).

Etymology

The term "legislature" is derived from the Old French "legislateure" which originated from the Latin "lēgislātūra", from "lēgis", genitive of "lēx" meaning "law" and "lātūra", a suffix meaning "the act of".

Derivatives

Legislative
Legislator
Legislation
Legislate
Legislatureship

Synonyms

Parliament
Assembly
Congress

Antonyms

Executive
Judiciary
Electorate

Usage

The legislature plays a vital role in governance, functioning as the main body responsible for creating laws and overseeing the executive branch. It can be bicameral, consisting of two houses, or unicameral, with one house.

Related Terms

Executive: The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
Judiciary: The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice.
Bicameral: A legislature with two houses or chambers.
Unicameral: A legislature with one house or chamber.

Detailed Definition

Noun

Legislature (Noun): A deliberative body of persons, usually elected, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state.
- Example: "The state legislature passed a new education reform bill."

Legislature (Noun): The body of representatives of a nation or state that makes laws.
- Example: "The federal legislature consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate."