Legislature: meaning, definitions and examples

A general term for a group of people who have the power to make or change laws. It's neutral and can be used for any law-making body.

• The legislature passed a new law regarding environmental protection.
• Each state in the U.S. has its own legislature.

Often used to describe a gathering of people for a specific purpose, including making laws. It can refer to both permanent and temporary bodies and often implies a more formal or ceremonial meeting.

• The city council called for an assembly to discuss the new policy.
• The General Assembly meets once a year to vote on new resolutions.

Primarily used in the context of parliamentary systems, mainly in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada. It refers to the supreme legislative body that includes elected and sometimes appointed members.

• The UK Parliament passed the Brexit bill after much debate.
• Canada's Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the Senate.

Primarily used in the context of the United States to describe the national legislative body, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It can sometimes be used for large formal meetings or conferences.

• Congress is set to vote on the new healthcare bill next week.
• The International Congress on Climate Change will be held in December.

This term refers to an organized body of individuals with the authority to enact, amend, and repeal laws. It is often used in formal or legal contexts and can denote national or regional governing bodies.

• The new bill was introduced to the legislature for consideration.
• The state legislature passed the new environmental regulations.

This term is less formal than 'legislature' and directly refers to individuals, like politicians or representatives, who are involved in the process of making laws. It is commonly used in media and everyday speech.

• Lawmakers are debating the new tax bill.
• The conference will be attended by key lawmakers from both parties.

This is a descriptive phrase that refers to any group or assembly responsible for creating laws. It is often utilized in discussions that aim to be clear and explicit, usually in educational or explanatory contexts.

• The lawmaking body of the region met to discuss the proposed housing reforms.
• Understanding the role of a lawmaking body is crucial in studying political science.

This term is used to describe the branch of government responsible for enacting laws, in contrast with the judicial or executive branches. It is frequently used in discussions about governmental structure and functions.

• The legislative branch plays a crucial role in the checks and balances system.
• Students learned about the powers and duties of the legislative branch in their civics class.