legislate
/ˈlɛdʒɪsleɪt
/verb
1 [no object] Make or enact laws: they legislated against discrimination in the workplace...
- More and more, courts in both the United States and Europe are legislating from the bench.
- That is what we mean when we say the States cannot legislate about these matters in federal jurisdiction.
- There is no doubt that the Parliament could so legislate, constitutional protections aside.
Synonyms
make laws, pass laws, enact laws, formulate laws, establish laws, codify laws, ratify laws, constitutionalize, put laws in force;
decree, order, ordain, prescribe, authorize, make provision, rule, lay down laws
1.1 [with object] Bring about by making or enacting laws: constitutional changes will be legislated...
- Although the position is not legislated at the moment, it has been appointed by the Chief of the Defence Force.
- Since circumstances constantly change, laws cannot be legislated to cover every possible case.
- It would be obviously improper for the Justices to legislate specific rules about what is private versus what is public.
2 (legislate for/against) Provide or prepare for (an occurrence): you cannot legislate for bad luck like that...
- There are a number of ways that waste prevention can be encouraged and legislated for.
- For once you start legislating against the falsification of history, where do you stop?
- The light going on didn't wake me up though, as I had wisely legislated for it by drinking far too much wine.
Origin
Early 18th century: back-formation from legislation.