legging

noun

leg·​ging ˈle-gən 

 also  ˈlā-,

-giŋ

variants or less commonly leggin

ˈle-gən 

 also  ˈlā-

plural leggings also leggins

1

a

: pants that are made of a material that stretches to fit tightly around the legs

—usually used in plural

Lycra-cotton leggings and tunic tops are the pregnant woman's best friend, sartorially speaking.

—Anne Reeks

b

: tights

—usually used in plural

Something about the name "footed leggings" just makes these sound way warmer than your basic tights.

—Melanie Richtman

2

a

: a covering (as of leather or cloth) for the legs worn over pants for protection

—usually used in plural

Welding leggings protect the lower leg (from the knee down) from sparks and spatter. Leather is naturally abrasion and flame resistant for use in applications with heavy sparks and spatter.

—Grainger.com

b

: a pair of separate coverings (as of leather or cloth) for the legs

—usually used in plural

… "leggings [worn by Plains Indians men] reached from the ankle to the thigh and were held in place by tying thongs, attached to their tops, to the belt. …"

—Norman Feder, quoted in Dress Clothing of the Plains Indians

Examples of legging in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Back in the early aughts, paying $98 for a pair of leggings, even in the Hamptons, seemed ludicrous. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025

Spanx Jean-ish Ankle Leggings Spanx’s Jean-ish Ankle Leggings deliver the look of denim with the comfort of leggings — no buttons, zippers, or bulk. —Taylor Jean Stephan, People.com, 22 June 2025

New cleaning methods to me are like buying a fresh pair of leggings to renew my enthusiasm for working out. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Rather than layering rainbow socks over leggings, a tween might pour creativity into editing videos or organizing Pinterest boards. —Dia Gallo, Parents, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for legging

• begging
• pegging
• bootlegging

Kids Definition

legging

noun

leg·​ging

variants or leggin

ˈleg-ən 

ˈleg-iŋ

: a covering for the leg