lawmaking

lawmaking — noun

1. the work of creating new rules for a society, from writing a bill to passing it

1.名詞B2
釋義

the work of creating new rules for a society, from writing a bill to passing it through an official body such as a parliament or congress

例句

The senator has spent over twenty years in lawmaking, helping to pass bills on education and healthcare.

collocation: in lawmaking (involvement in the process)

Minh wrote to his local representative to learn how ordinary citizens can take part in lawmaking.

collocation: take part in lawmaking

同義詞
  • legislation

    the most common general term for the process or the resulting laws; less focused on the human work of drafting and debating

  • lawmaking process

    emphasises the step-by-step procedure rather than the general activity

  • enactment

    more formal; focuses on the final official step of signing a bill into law

反義詞
  • repeal

    the act of cancelling or removing a law

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable and refers to the activity in general rather than a single instance. Frequently paired with nouns such as 'process', 'body', or 'power'.

常見錯誤

❌The new lawmaking was passed quickly.
✅The new law was passed quickly.
💡'Lawmaking' (sense 1) describes the overall process, not a single piece of legislation. Use 'law' or 'bill' for a specific rule.

2. a person or group with the authority to create, change, or officially approve th

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person or group with the authority to create, change, or officially approve the rules that govern a country or region

例句

The National Assembly is the chief lawmaking body in the country and debates every new proposal.

attributive use: lawmaking body (a body with legislative authority)

As an elected member of the lawmaking council, Lucia represents the interests of her district in the state capital.

attributive use: lawmaking council (a council with legislative authority)

同義詞
  • lawmaker

    the standard and more natural word for a person who makes laws; far more common than this sense of 'lawmaking'

  • legislator

    formal term for an elected member of a lawmaking body

  • legislative body

    a group such as a parliament or congress that creates laws

用法筆記

This sense is considerably less common than the process sense (sense 1). The more frequent word for a person who makes laws is 'lawmaker' or 'legislator'. The plural 'lawmakings' is very rare and generally avoided.

常見錯誤

❌The lawmakings voted on the bill.
✅The lawmakers / legislators voted on the bill.
💡For a person who makes laws, 'lawmaker' (one word) is the standard form. 'Lawmaking' as a person is very unusual.