legislature

noun

1. a deliberative body of persons, usually elective, who are empowered to make, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state; the branch of government having the power to make laws, as distinguished from the executive and judicial branches of government.

noun

1. a body of persons vested with power to make, amend, and repeal lawsCompare executive, judiciary

n.1670s; see legislator + -ure.