What does legislative mean?
Legislative means connected with the creation of laws and with the institution or officials responsible for doing so. The adjective is used to describe a legislative body, session, agenda, process, or power, distinguishing lawmaking from executive administration and judicial interpretation. It can also carry a broader political sense: a legislative strategy is one intended to be advanced through a legislature, while legislative action means action involving the making or amendment of laws. In constitutional discussion, the contrast among legislative, executive, and judicial functions is central, making the term especially useful for understanding how government authority is divided. Although “legislative” is overwhelmingly used as an adjective, it also has an uncommon noun meaning for a legislator or member of a legislative body. The word is standard in both British and American English, though institutional arrangements and the precise powers associated with a legislature vary between countries.
Of or relating to lawmaking, a legislature, or the authority to make laws.
"The bill was sent to a legislative committee for further consideration."
Most often used attributively in institutional and political contexts.
A member of a legislature; a legislator.
"Each legislative debated the proposed amendment before the final vote."
This noun use is uncommon outside specialized political language.
Uncommon; normally expressed as “legislator” or “member of the legislature.”
"The two legislatives introduced competing amendments to the bill."
In the familiar separation of government powers, the legislative branch makes the laws that the executive administers and the judiciary interprets.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does legislative come from?
The word comes through French from a Latin form meaning “of or pertaining to lawmaking.” Its ultimate roots are Latin legis, meaning “of the law,” and a verb meaning “to propose, introduce, or carry through,” reflected in related English forms such as “legislate,” “legislator,” “legislation,” and “legislature.” These related words entered English at different periods and developed distinct grammatical functions.
Related word forms
How legislative is actually used
The adjective is especially common in political, governmental, and legal contexts. It is frequently used attributively, as in “legislative session,” and the noun use “a legislative” is relatively uncommon.