What does "legislative" mean?

1. (related to lawmaking) related to the process of making laws or the power to create them. 2. (the lawmaking body) the group of people in a government who have the power to make laws.

How do you use "legislative"?

Usually placed before a noun; often contrasted with 'executive' or 'judicial'.

legislative

adj. · n.

US //ˈɫɛdʒəˌsɫeɪtɪv// UK //lˈɛdʒɪslətˌɪv// leg·isla·tive

1 related to lawmaking (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Law

related to the process of making laws or the power to create them.

relating to the enactment of laws or the exercise of lawmaking power.

Example

The government is planning new legislative changes to improve road safety.

Example

The legislative agenda for the upcoming session focuses heavily on environmental protection and tax reform.

Usage

Usually placed before a noun; often contrasted with 'executive' or 'judicial'.
- lawmaking
- statutory
- parliamentary
- executive
- judicial
2 the lawmaking body (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Law

the group of people in a government who have the power to make laws.

the branch of government or organized body of people vested with the power to make, amend, and repeal laws.

Example

The legislative met late into the night to discuss the new budget.

Example

While the executive branch proposes the budget, the legislative must approve the final figures before they become law.

Teacher's tip

In modern English, 'legislature' is much more common as a noun than 'legislative'.

Origin

From legislate + -ive.