legislate
To make or enact laws through a formal process, typically within a government or legislative body. It involves the proposal, debate, and official approval of rules that govern a society or organization.
Examples
3 of 5The local council decided to legislate against loud music in residential areas after 10 PM.
The local government officially created a rule to stop people from playing loud music late at night.
The government has promised to legislate to protect the rights of minority groups more effectively.
The state has committed to passing formal laws that will safeguard the interests of minority populations.
You can't really legislate for every single mistake people make in their private lives.
It is impossible to create official laws that control every small error people commit at home.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Focus on the root 'Leg-' which means law (like legal). To 'legis-late' is to 'bring a law' (from the Latin 'lator', meaning bringer).
Quick Quiz
The parliament met late into the night to _______ for new environmental protections.
Correct!
The correct answer is: legislate
Examples
The local council decided to legislate against loud music in residential areas after 10 PM.
everydayThe local government officially created a rule to stop people from playing loud music late at night.
The government has promised to legislate to protect the rights of minority groups more effectively.
formalThe state has committed to passing formal laws that will safeguard the interests of minority populations.
You can't really legislate for every single mistake people make in their private lives.
informalIt is impossible to create official laws that control every small error people commit at home.
Academic researchers argue that attempts to legislate market prices often lead to unintended economic consequences.
academicScholars suggest that when governments try to set prices by law, it frequently causes unexpected problems in the economy.
The corporation seeks to legislate stricter ethics policies to prevent future financial scandals.
businessThe company wants to establish formal internal rules regarding ethics to avoid future legal issues.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
legislate into existence
To create something (like a department or right) by passing a law.
legislate from the bench
A phrase used when judges are accused of making law through court rulings instead of just interpreting it.
legislate away
To try to solve a problem simply by making it illegal.
Often Confused With
Legislate means to create any kind of law; legalize specifically means to make something that was illegal now legal.
Legislate is the action (verb); legislature is the group of people or the place where the action happens (noun).
Usage Notes
Legislate is a formal verb usually used in political, legal, or high-level organizational contexts. It is often used intransitively with prepositions like 'against' or 'for', though it can be used transitively to mean 'to bring about by legislation'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'legislate a law', which is redundant because 'legislate' already implies making a law; instead, use 'pass a law' or simply 'legislate on the issue'.
Memory Tip
Focus on the root 'Leg-' which means law (like legal). To 'legis-late' is to 'bring a law' (from the Latin 'lator', meaning bringer).
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'lex' (law) and 'lator' (proposer or bringer), literally meaning 'one who proposes a law'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In democratic societies, the debate often centers on whether governments should 'legislate morality'—that is, pass laws based on ethical or religious beliefs.
Quick Quiz
The parliament met late into the night to _______ for new environmental protections.
Correct!
The correct answer is: legislate
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
pale
A1Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.
lung
A1The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.
tropical
A1Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.
trader
A1A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.
indoor
A1Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.
threshold
A1A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.
tribute
A1A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.
elder
A1Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.
russian
A1Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.
southeastern
A1Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free