legislator

noun

leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslā-ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
also ˌle-jə-ˈslā-ˌtȯr
Synonyms of legislatornext
: one that makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial
ˌle-jə-slə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce legislator (audio)
adjective
legislatorship
ˈle-jə-ˌslā-tər-ˌship How to pronounce legislator (audio)
noun

Synonyms of legislator

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Examples of legislator in a Sentence

Write to your state legislator. the legislators met in an all-night session to hammer out the details of the bill
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.
In Virginia, an independent group of ER doctors who were replaced by a large staffing firm is meeting with state legislators to try to change their laws. — Alex Olgin, NPR, 3 July 2026 This month, the 100-year-old camp, which remains closed this summer, filed for bankruptcy, and an investigation by state legislators determined that the organization failed to prepare for disaster. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 State legislators have various rationales for getting involved in national security policy. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 Louise testified before state legislators in support of the DNA exception after her interview with WBUR. — Willoughby Mariano, ProPublica, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for legislator

Word History

Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legislator was circa 1513

Rhymes for legislator

See All Rhymes for legislator

Browse Nearby Words

legislatively
legislator
legislatorial
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Cite this Entry

“Legislator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legislator. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈlej-ə-ˌslā-ˌtȯ(ə)r How to pronounce legislator (audio) -ˌslāt-ər How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws
especially : a member of a legislature

Legal Definition

legislator

noun
leg·​is·​la·​tor ˈle-jəs-ˌlā-tər, -ˌtȯr How to pronounce legislator (audio)
: a person who makes laws especially for a political unit
especially : a member of a legislative body
legislatorial
ˌle-jəs-lə-ˈtōr-ē-əl How to pronounce legislator (audio)
adjective
legislatorship noun
Etymology

Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of a law, from legis (genitive of lex law) + lator proposer, from ferre (past participle latus) to carry, propose

More from Merriam-Webster on legislator

Nglish: Translation of legislator for Spanish Speakers

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