# legislate

/ˈɫɛdʒɪˌsɫeɪt/ (US) · /lˈɛdʒɪslˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/legislate
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

to make or pass new laws. Governments do this to control how a country or organization works.

For teachers: to exercise the power of making and enacting laws. Intransitive when referring to the general power of a government; transitive when specifying the creation of a particular rule or standard.

## Examples

- The government plans to legislate against plastic waste.
- Parliament met late into the night to legislate for stricter environmental protections across the manufacturing sector.
- While the executive branch enforces existing rules, only the legislative body has the constitutional authority to legislate on matters of national taxation and public spending.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The council legislated a new law" but "The council passed a new law" — While 'legislate' means to make laws, it is rarely used with 'law' as a direct object; one legislates 'on' a topic or 'passes' a law.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'against' or 'for' to indicate the purpose of the law.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.