legislative
gb/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv/ us/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv/
B2
English
~ 3900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
B2
property
1
Related to making laws
About the work of making laws.
Usage pattern:
[legislative] [body/process/power]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'legislative' with 'legal'. 'Legislative' refers to the process of making laws, while 'legal' means allowed by law or related to law in general.
Synonyms
law-making (Less formal term, often used in general discussion rather than legal contexts.)
|
parliamentary (Specifically related to a parliament, not all legislative systems.)
Antonyms
judicial (Refers to interpreting laws rather than making them.)
|
executive (Refers to implementing and enforcing laws rather than creating them.)
Collocations
legislative body
|legislative process
|legislative powers
|legislative branch
|legislative assembly
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Examples
- The legislative branch is responsible for drafting new laws.
- Several legislative reforms were introduced this year.
- He has served in a legislative capacity for over a decade.
- The bill is now moving through the legislative process.
- Legislative approval is required before the policy can be enacted.
Learner examples
- The legislative branch makes laws.
- A legislative meeting was held yesterday.
- We studied the legislative process in class.
- Legislative power belongs to Congress.
- The country held a legislative election.
Grammar
Dictionary form
legislative
IPA
GB/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv/
US/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
le - gis - lat - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (le)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: legislative
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
illegal
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
legislatively
adverb
Expressions
legislative body
1/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv bˈɑdi/
fixed phrase
Group with authority to make laws
A group of people who have the power to make laws.
Examples
- The city council acts as the legislative body for local matters.
- Members of the legislative body debated the new bill for hours.
legislative branch
1/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv bɹˈænt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Part of government making laws
The part of a government that makes new laws.
Examples
- In the United States, Congress is the legislative branch.
- The legislative branch checks the powers of the executive branch.
legislative process
1/lˈɛd͡ʒɪslˌeɪtɪv pɹˈɑsˌɛs/
fixed phrase
Steps for creating and passing laws
The steps taken to make and approve new laws.
Examples
- Understanding the legislative process helps citizens engage in democracy.
- The bill is still early in the legislative process.