legislation (or statutory law) is law that has been created by a legislature or other governing body. The term can refer to a single law, or to the collective body of enacted laws, while "statute" is also used to refer to a single law. Before a bill becomes law, it may be known as a bill, which is typically also known as "legislation" while it remains under active consideration.

Under the Westminster system, an item of legislation is known as an Act of Parliament.

Legislation is usually proposed by a member of the legislature (for example, a member of Congress or Parliament), or by the executive, then debated by members of the legislature and often amended. Those who have the formal power to create legislation are known as legislators, the judicial branch of government may have the formal power to interpret legislation.

The act of legislating is sometimes known as legislating. Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the legislative function is primarily the responsibility of the legislative branch. However, there are situations where legislation is enacted by other means (most commonly when constitutional law is enacted). These other forms of legislation include referendums and constitutional conventions. The term "legislation" is sometimes used to describe these situations, but other times it is used to distinguish acts of the legislative branch from these other forms of legislation.