What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
legislature
Example
The legislature passed a new law that will go into effect next year. [legislature: noun]
Example
The governor vetoed the bill that was sent to him by the legislature. [legislature: collective noun]
parliament
Example
The prime minister addressed parliament on the issue of national security. [parliament: noun]
Example
The opposition party has a majority in parliament and can pass laws without the support of the ruling party. [parliament: collective noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parliament is more commonly used in countries with a parliamentary system, while legislature is more commonly used in countries with a different type of government system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between legislature and parliament?
Both legislature and parliament are formal terms used in political contexts, but parliament may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with countries with a parliamentary system.
