legislate

[ lej-is-leyt ]
See synonyms for legislate on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of legislate

1
First recorded in 1710–20; back formation from legislation, legislator

Other words from legislate

  • o·ver·leg·is·late, verb, o·ver·leg·is·lat·ed, o·ver·leg·is·lat·ing.
  • qua·si-leg·is·lat·ed, adjective
  • un·leg·is·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for legislate

legislate

/ (ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt) /


verb
  1. (intr) to make or pass laws

  2. (tr) to bring into effect by legislation

Origin of legislate

1
C18: back formation from legislator

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012