legislation
lej-is-LAY-shun
/ˌlɛdʒɪˈsleɪʃən/
The process of making laws; also, the laws themselves collectively.
Can refer to the act of legislating (e.g., 'the legislation of new environmental protections') or to the body of laws created (e.g., 'new legislation was passed').
The story behind the word. Our word 'legislation' comes directly from the Latin 'legislatio', which is a combination of 'lex' (meaning 'law') and 'latio' (meaning 'a bringing' or 'proposing'). So, 'legislation' literally means 'the bringing forward of a law'. It beautifully captures both the act of creating laws and the laws themselves.
Word relationships
- lawmaking: More informal and descriptive; 'legislation' is the formal term.
- statutes: Refers specifically to written laws, often implying a collection of them, similar to the collective sense of 'legislation'.
- deregulation: The removal of regulations or laws, opposite to the creation of legislation.
Commonly confused with
- act: 'Legislation' is the process or body of laws; an 'act' is a single, specific law.
Word family
- legislate (verb): to make or enact laws
- legislator (noun): a person who makes laws
- legislative (adjective): relating to the making of laws
Collocations
- new legislation
- social legislation
- environmental legislation
- pass legislation
Example sentences
- "The government is currently working on new legislation to address climate change and promote renewable energy." Government Policy
- "All legislation, whether national or local, must comply with the principles laid out in the constitution." Legal Analysis
Memory hook
LEG-is-LAY-shun: The 'LEG' of the law is 'LAY'ing down the rules for the 'nation'. Laying down laws
When not to use
Avoid using 'legislation' to refer to a single, specific law when 'act' or 'statute' would be more precise. While technically correct, it's often less specific.
Fun facts
- The term 'legislative branch' refers to the part of government responsible for making laws, like the U.S. Congress or the UK Parliament.
- Many legal systems around the world are based on Roman law, where the concept of 'lex' was central.
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