What does legislate mean?
To legislate is to make laws or establish binding rules through an authorized lawmaking body. The verb is especially common in political, legal, and public-policy contexts, as in “The government legislated to reduce emissions” or “Several states have legislated against workplace discrimination.” It can also refer more broadly to controlling behavior through formal rules, especially when discussing institutions that have authority to do so. The related noun “legislation” denotes the laws themselves or the process of making them, while “legislative” describes the body, branch, or activity responsible for lawmaking. Although “legislate” is often used with “against” or “for,” it also appears directly with policy areas and subjects, such as “legislate on taxation.” Its formal register distinguishes it from more conversational expressions such as “make a law,” but it remains standard in government, journalism, law, and academic writing.
To make, pass, or enact laws, especially through a legislature or other authorized body.
"The council voted to legislate for safer residential construction."
Often transitive, with the policy area or matter being regulated as its object.
To establish or control conduct through formal rules or laws.
"The agency is permitted to legislate standards for professional certification."
This broader sense is especially associated with institutions that possess lawmaking or regulatory authority.
Parliament and Congress do not merely make rules: they legislate, turning political judgment into binding law.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does legislate come from?
The verb comes from Latin legis, meaning “of a law,” combined with latum, the past participle of ferre, meaning “to bring” or “to carry.” The Latin expression was understood as “to bring a law,” which developed into the English meaning of making or enacting laws. English legislate entered use in the early 17th century and is related to legal, legitimate, legislative, and legislature, all of which share the same Latin root for law.
Related word forms
How legislate is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in political, legal, and policy contexts. It is normally transitive, taking a subject that is being regulated, though it may also be used intransitively to refer to the act of lawmaking in general.
Easily confused with legislate
To legislate is the act of making laws, whereas legislation refers collectively to the laws or a body of enactments.