Word
legislature
Phoneticsleg·is·la·ture, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɛdʒəˌsɫeɪtʃɝ/
UK/lˈɛdʒɪslətʃɐ/
Definitions
01law-making body
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. the official group of people who have the power to make, change, or remove laws for a country or state.
n. A governmental body or deliberative assembly vested with the power to make, amend, and repeal laws.
日本語:立法府※
“The state legislature voted to increase funding for public schools next year.”
“The national legislature debated the proposed environmental regulations for several weeks before finally reaching a compromise.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific body.
Teaching tip
While 'parliament' or 'congress' are specific types, 'legislature' is the general term for any such body.
Synonyms
02the building
C1 · Advanced Countable noun American English · Formal
n. the building where the law-making group meets to work.
n. The physical building or complex that houses a legislative body.
“A large crowd gathered outside the legislature to protest the new tax.”
“The historic legislature building is famous for its grand dome and neoclassical architecture.”
Usage
Commonly used in Canada and some US states to refer to the building itself.
Teaching tip
In many dialects, speakers prefer 'parliament' or 'the capitol' for the building; this use is more regional.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “legislature” in context.
Verb
01. bypass the legislature
“Critics accused the governor of trying to bypass the legislature by issuing executive orders.”
verb + noun
02. dissolve the legislature
“The president decided to dissolve the legislature and call for early elections.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. bicameral legislature
“The country's bicameral legislature consists of an upper and a lower house.”
adj + noun
04. unicameral legislature
“Nebraska is unique among U.S. states for having a unicameral legislature.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. act of the legislature
“The new tax regulations were established by a formal act of the legislature.”
noun + of + noun
06. legislature passed
“The state legislature passed a bill to increase funding for public schools.”
noun + verb
07. member of the legislature
“Each member of the legislature is elected to serve a four-year term.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. before the legislature
“The controversial healthcare reform bill is currently before the legislature for debate.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“In May, the same opposition-controlled legislature cut a proposed $40bn special defence budget by 38 percent, stripping out all funding for domestically produced combat drones and leaving only United States arms purchases intact.” “The signature tally, as of Saturday, surpassed 171,000, far exceeding the 500 needed for the petition to be discussed before Canada’s legislature.” Etymology
1676, from stem of legislator + -ure, cognate with French législature.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/legislature
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0