legislate

verb

leg·​is·​late ˈle-jə-ˌslāt How to pronounce legislate (audio)
legislated; legislating
Synonyms of legislatenext

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation
specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation

Synonyms of legislate

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Examples of legislate in a Sentence

They are attempting to legislate morality. the need to better legislate foreign trade trying to legislate changes in the current law
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Iceland, long a leader in gender equality, subsidizes childcare, legislates equal wages, gives paid parental leave to both men and women, and has a gender equality act that includes a quota for women on boards. — Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Although many other jurisdictions around the world had made similar attempts at legislating age restrictions, the Online Safety Amendment Act would be the first enforced on a national scale. — Oscar Schwartz, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Critics claim that members are either uninterested in doing their job or more focused on showboating and gaining social media impressions than legislating. — Scott Warren, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Khan also called on Congress to step in and legislate the growing industry. — Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legislate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from legislator

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislate was in 1656

Rhymes for legislate

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Browse Nearby Words

legis
legislate
legislation
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Cite this Entry

“Legislate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

legislate

verb
leg·​is·​late ˈlej-ə-ˌslāt How to pronounce legislate (audio)
legislated; legislating
1
: to make laws
the constitutional power to legislate
2
: to cause, establish, or regulate by legislation
legislating foreign trade

Legal Definition

legislate

verb
leg·​is·​late ˈle-jəs-ˌlāt How to pronounce legislate (audio)
legislated; legislating

intransitive verb

: to perform the function of legislation
specifically : to make or enact laws

transitive verb

: to cause, create, provide, or bring about by legislation
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