legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌle-jə-ˈslā-shən 
1
: the action of legislating
specifically
: the exercise of the power and function of making rules (such as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of a state or other organization
the major function of Congress is legislation —
W. S. Sayre
W. S. Sayre 2
: the enactments of a legislator or a legislative body
legislation to help distressed homeowners
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
She proposed new legislation to protect the environment.
Examples of legislation in a Sentence
They passed new state legislation this week.
Two new pieces of legislation are being considered.
She introduced legislation for protecting the environment.
More legislation is needed on this matter.
Certain animals are protected under state legislation.
One of the important functions of government is legislation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adelson, who is the majority owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has also donated to lawmakers and PACs that support pro-gambling and sports betting legislation.
—Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Democrats have demanded that extending expiring subsidies in the Affordable Care Act and reversing Republicans' Medicaid cuts be included in legislation to end the shutdown.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The news release was noteworthy and came just months after Kehoe signed legislation that allowed Clay County to create a sports complex authority, viewed as a key tool that could attract a Royals stadium to North Kansas City.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The vote was 54-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
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Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Democrats have demanded that extending expiring subsidies in the Affordable Care Act and reversing Republicans' Medicaid cuts be included in legislation to end the shutdown.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The news release was noteworthy and came just months after Kehoe signed legislation that allowed Clay County to create a sports complex authority, viewed as a key tool that could attract a Royals stadium to North Kansas City.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The vote was 54-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legislation
Cite this Entry
“Legislation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌlej-ə-ˈslā-shən
1
: the action of making laws
2
: the laws made by a legislator or legislative body
Legal Definition
legislation
noun
leg·is·la·tion
ˌle-jəs-ˈlā-shən
1
: the making or giving of laws
specifically
: the exercise of the power and function of making rules that have the force of authority by virtue of their promulgation by an official organ of the state
2
: the enactments of a legislator or legislative body
3
: a matter of business for or under consideration by a legislative body
recently proposed legislation
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