Legal Definitions - legislate

Definition: To make or enact laws. To bring something into or out of existence by making laws; to attempt to control something by legislation.

Examples:

• The role of our lawmakers is to legislate, not to adjudicate.
• The government is trying to legislate stricter gun control laws.
• Many countries have legislated against smoking in public places.

The first example shows how lawmakers are responsible for creating laws, not for interpreting them. The second example illustrates how the government is attempting to control the possession and use of guns through legislation. The third example shows how laws can be created to regulate behavior in public spaces.