legislation
Laws or bills collectively enacted by a governing body
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to review the new legislation before finalizing our compliance strategy.”
Over coffee
“Have you heard about the legislation they're proposing for data privacy?”
Why this word
law
Legislation refers to laws collectively or the process of making laws, while law can mean a single rule or the entire legal system
rules
Legislation specifically means laws enacted by a legislative body, while rules are any general regulations or guidelines
regulation
Legislation is law made by legislative bodies, while regulation typically refers to rules made by executive agencies implementing those laws
Usage tip
Use when referring to laws as a collective body or process, rather than individual statutes. More formal than 'laws' but widely understood.
Etymology
Latin 'legis' (law) + 'latio' (proposing) — literally 'law-proposing'
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Related words
retroactive
Taking effect from a date in the past rather than from the present
curtailment
The action of reducing or limiting something
procure
To obtain something, especially with care or effort
matriculate
To enroll or formally admit into a program or organization
remunerate
To pay or compensate someone for work or services
enjoin
To legally prohibit or order someone to do or not do something