legislator

[ lej-is-ley-ter ]

noun

1. a person who gives or makes laws.

   Synonyms: lawgiver, lawmaker

2. a member of a legislative body.

legislator

/ ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person concerned with the making or enactment of laws
2. a member of a legislature

Derived Forms

• ˈlegisˌlatorˌship, noun
• ˈlegisˌlatress, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• legis·lator·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislator¹

1595–1605; < Latin phrase lēgis lātor a law's bringer (i.e., proposer), equivalent to lēgis (genitive of lēx law) + lātor bringer ( lā ( tus ), suppletive past participle of ferre to bring + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of legislator¹

C17: from Latin lēgis lātor, from lēx law + lātor from lātus, past participle of ferre to bring

Example Sentences

Allegations of misconduct have hung over the legislator from the Florida Panhandle for years, thanks in part to his association with convicted sex trafficker Joel Greenberg.

From Salon

Missouri legislators have hardly missed an opportunity to attack abortion rights: One legislator floated a measure to make it illegal to help someone leave the state for an abortion.

From Los Angeles Times

When these young candidates do eventually start breaking through, they will face a whole other set of financial challenges because of what it costs to actually be a legislator.

From Slate

It was named after longtime California legislator Vincent Thomas, who had fought to build it for decades.

From Los Angeles Times

“This incident has been a humbling reminder of the necessity for restraint and self-control, especially in challenging circumstances,” the legislator said.

From BBC

Related Words

• administrator
• council member
• deputy
• lawmaker
• leader
• member
• parliamentarian
• representative
• senator