legislature
/ˈlɛdʒɪslətʃə
/noun
The legislative body of a country or state: the Nevada state legislature passed a law to prohibit dumping of nuclear waste...
- It is expected that the draft law will be voted on by the legislature at the end of April.
- The bill passed by the legislature was narrowly tailored to apply only to the one case.
- It is the job of Congress and state legislatures to pass laws of general applicability.
Origin
Late 17th century: from legislation, on the pattern of judicature.