legislate

[ lej-is-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, leg·is·lat·ed, leg·is·lat·ing.

1. to exercise the function of legislation; make or enact laws.

verb (used with object)

, leg·is·lat·ed, leg·is·lat·ing.

1. to create, provide, or control by legislation:

   attempts to legislate morality.

legislate

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt /

verb

1. intr to make or pass laws
2. tr to bring into effect by legislation

Other Words From

• over·legis·late verb overlegislated overlegislating
• quasi-legis·lated adjective
• un·legis·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislate¹

First recorded in 1710–20; back formation from legislation, legislator

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislate¹

C18: back formation from legislator

Example Sentences

Months after face coverings emerged as a tension point in the pandemic — and as some Americans still refuse to wear them — Republicans in a number of statehouses have refused to cover their faces while legislating.

From Washington Post

I think what it shows is the huge crisis we’re in as a result of failure to legislate.

From Washington Post

Mitch McConnell has made it very clear he does not want to legislate.

From Washington Post

The stakeholder approach would use antitrust to accomplish what shareholders did not sign up for, what many officers and directors have not seen fit to implement, and what state capitols and Congress have failed to legislate.

From Fortune

The government has said, however it will legislate to end deals like “buy one get one free” for HFSS products.

From Digiday

And it might not only be in Britain that politicians rush to legislate.

From The Daily Beast

No politician has the right to legislate for the awful things that can happen during pregnancy.

From The Daily Beast

Are we in danger, in the rush to legislate, of ruining the moment?

From The Daily Beast

These are excuses offered up by a party that is too divided to govern and legislate.

From The Daily Beast

Now that all efforts to legislate gun control are stalled, it may be time for mental-health legislation to stand on its own.

From The Daily Beast

The empire rules the army and can legislate over and control a prodigious amount of national subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence He could legislate for man's thoughts, as well as his deeds.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Radicals were in power to legislate and crush agriculture, and "I've got a miser for my brother-in-law," said the farmer.

From Project Gutenberg

Are they not every day incurring new and useless expenses in consequence of allowing them to legislate and plan for themselves?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• enact