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legislative

B2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /lˈɛdʒɪslətˌɪv/

US

  • /ˈlɛdʒəˌsleɪtɪv/

Description

Imagine a town needs a new park. It does not just happen - people discuss it, suggest ideas, debate the best location and features, and finally vote on whether to build it. That whole process of making rules for the town? That is legislative work. The word "legislative" describes anything connected to making laws.

You will often hear "legislative branch" when talking about government. That is the part responsible for writing and passing laws, like Congress in the United States or Parliament in the UK. A legislative body is simply a group of people who make laws. So if you read about a "legislative debate," it means lawmakers are discussing a proposed law.

Examples

  1. 1

    Committee work

    The bill will be discussed by a legislative committee next week.

  2. 2

    Government branch

    Congress is part of the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

  3. 3

    Approval

    The mayor needs legislative approval before the new tax can begin.

  4. 4

    Lawmaking period

    During the legislative session, lawmakers focused mostly on housing and schools.

    • Phrase

      legislative session

      a period when lawmakers meet to work on laws

  5. 5

    Policy priorities

    Healthcare reform is high on the legislative agenda this year.

    • Phrase

      legislative agenda

      the laws and policy changes lawmakers plan to discuss

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • legislativeadjective