Definition

Noun 1. The act or process of making laws: The formal procedure through which a governing body (like a parliament or congress) proposes, debates, amends, and finally enacts laws. 2. A law or a body of laws that has been formally enacted: The collective term for the statutes or laws that have been officially passed by a legislative authority.

Usage and Examples

• As the process of making laws:
  • The new policy will require new legislation. (This means the policy needs a new law to be formally created and passed.)
  • The senator is deeply involved in environmental legislation. (This refers to the senator's work in the process of creating environmental laws.)
• As the laws themselves:
  • The government introduced tough new legislation on data privacy. (Here, "legislation" refers to the specific new data privacy law that was passed.)
  • Existing legislation does not cover this new type of cybercrime. (This refers to the body of current laws that are in effect.)

Advanced Usage

• "To draft legislation": To write the initial text of a proposed law.
  • A committee was formed to draft legislation on healthcare reform.
• "To enact/pass legislation": To formally approve a proposed law, making it official.
  • Congress passed legislation to fund the new infrastructure project.
• "Legislation is pending": A proposed law is being considered but has not yet been voted on or enacted.
  • The tax reform bill is currently pending legislation.

Variants and Related Words

• Legislate (verb): To make or enact laws.
  • It is the duty of Congress to legislate.
• Legislative (adjective): Relating to the making of laws or the legislature.
  • The proposal is now before the legislative branch.
• Legislator (noun): A member of a body that makes laws.
  • The legislators debated the bill for hours.
• Legislature (noun): The organized body of people (e.g., parliament, congress) with the authority to make laws for a political entity.
  • The state legislature meets twice a year.

Synonyms

• Lawmaking (noun): The process of creating laws. (Focuses more on the action).
• Statute (noun): A written law passed by a legislative body. (Refers to a single, specific law).
• Act (noun): A law formally passed by a legislature. (Often part of a proper name, e.g., "the Clean Air Act").
• Bill (noun): A draft of a proposed law presented to a legislature for discussion. (It is not yet legislation until passed).

Related Phrases

• Primary legislation: Laws made directly by the main legislative body (e.g., Acts of Parliament).
• Secondary/Delegated legislation: Laws (like regulations or orders) made by a minister or body under authority granted by an Act of primary legislation.

Noun

1. the act of making or enacting laws
2. law enacted by a legislative body