leg

1 of 3

noun

ˈleg 

 also  ˈlāg

1

: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: such as

a(1)

: one of the paired vertebrate limbs that in bipeds extend from the top of the thigh to the foot

(2)

: the part of such a limb between the knee and foot

b

: the back half of a hindquarter of a meat animal

c

: one of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling

2

a

: a pole or bar serving as a support or prop

the legs of a tripod

b

: a branch of a forked or jointed object

the legs of a compass

3

a

: the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg

b

: the part of the upper (as of a boot) that extends above the ankle

4

: obeisance, bow

—used chiefly in the phrase to make a leg

5

: a side of a right triangle that is not the hypotenuse

also : a side of an isosceles triangle that is not the base

6

a

: the course and distance sailed by a boat on a single tack

b

: a portion of a trip : stage

c

: one section of a relay race

d

: one of several events or games necessary to be won to decide a competition

won the first two legs of horse racing's Triple Crown

7

: a branch or part of an object or system

8

legs plural : long-term appeal or interest

a news story with legs

legless

ˈleg-ləs 

 also  ˈlāg-

adjective

a legless chair

legless lizards

leglike adjective

or leg-like

ˈleg-ˌlīk 

 also  ˈlāg-

leglike appendages

leg

2 of 3

verb

legged; legging

intransitive verb

: to use the legs in walking

especially : run

leg

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

legal

2

legato

3

legislative; legislature

Phrases

a leg to stand on

: support

especially : a basis for one's position in a controversy

on one's last legs

: at or near the end of one's resources : on the verge of failure, exhaustion, or ruin

Synonyms

Noun

• pin

Verb

• ambulate
• foot (it)
• hoof (it)
• pad
• step
• traipse
• tread
• walk

Examples of leg in a Sentence

Noun

He sat on a chair with his legs crossed.

He leaned against the wall with his legs spread so the police could search him.

She broke her leg in a skiing accident.

His legs gave way under him and he fell over.

We had chicken legs for dinner.

Would you like some more leg of lamb?

the legs of a table

a chair with a broken leg

Verb

the car was in the shop so we had to leg it to work for a couple of days

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

O’Neill missed time at the start of the season for a concussion and then missed more time later in the season for a leg infection, but otherwise remained healthy. —Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024

Headroom will be fine for taller people, but the rear is somewhat cramped for adults with longer legs. —James Morris, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Verb

The dark ride uses a vehicle mechanism in which riders legs dangle below them in order to simulate flying. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

Plus, in a particularly clever design move, the pants legs zip together when they’re removed to keep you from losing track of them. —Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old Norse leggr

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1587, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing leg

• an arm and a leg
• arm and a leg
• break a leg
• cost an arm and a leg
• get one's leg over
• give someone a leg up
• have a leg up
• jake leg
• leg-of-mutton
• leg-o'-mutton
• leg out
• leg-pull
• leg up
• leg warmer
• milk leg
• not have a leg to stand on
• peg leg
• pull one's leg
• pull someone's leg
• shake a leg
• talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey

Kids Definition

leg

1 of 2 noun

ˈleg 

1

: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking and running

also : the part of a leg of a vertebrate animal between the knee and the foot

2

: something resembling an animal leg in shape or use

legs of a table

3

: the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg

4

: a side of a right triangle that is not the hypotenuse

also : a side of an isosceles triangle that is not the base

5

a

: a portion of a trip : stage

b

: one section of a relay race

leg

2 of 2 verb

legged; legging

: to use the legs in walking or especially in running

Medical Definition

leg

noun

ˈleg, ˈlāg 

: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: as

a

: either of the two lower human limbs that extend from the top of the thigh to the foot and especially the part between the knee and the ankle

b

: any of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling

Legal Definition

leg

abbreviation

1

legal

2

legislative, legislature