Definition of legendnext
1
as in caption
an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town

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2
as in translation
an explanation or description accompanying a pictorial illustration the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%

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3
as in myth
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks

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4
as in folklore
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place that story of how the world came to be has long been part of Native American legend

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legend That means a legend and a present-day contender can both show up at full strength. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Participants included ‘90s supermodel Molly Sims, comedian Tiffany Haddish, ex Housewife Bethenny Frankel, rugby legend Ilona Maher and influencer Alix Earle. Madeleine Marr june 11, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026 The legend of Buc-ee’s has traveled far beyond the South. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 June 2026 Joined live from Sofi Stadium by legends Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Alexi Lalas, Lowe will steer the on-air soccer ship for Fox Sports up to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for legend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legend
Noun
  • He is credited with shaking up modern photography with narrative forms often told like a comic strip, supplemented with his own, often poetic, handwritten captions and titles.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026
  • The caption is almost entirely about tariffs — no mention, for example, of establishing the gold standard, which was really the big issue of the 1896 campaign.
    New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • This belief underwrites the common myth that true style is effortless, a form of expression that arises from indifference rather than care.
    Jacob Brogan, The Atlantic, 11 June 2026
  • Advertisement Part of why this myth persists, Masland says, is that the hardest moments are the most visible ones.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The incident is the latest tragedy on Lake Lanier, one of the nation's busiest recreational lakes and a body of water that has become the subject of both public safety concerns and persistent folklore.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • These seven sites sit at a rather eerie intersection of science and folklore.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Modern end-to-end encryption ensures that no third party can access the keys needed for real-time data streams in transit.
    Leonard Lim, Fortune, 10 June 2026
  • Newman took over the keys as the pair swapped vocals, his voice as tender and warm as ever.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • The story continued to be cited and pictured as an exemplar of Roman charity, but the fable couldn’t have taken root if the idea of Cimon’s long sentence hadn’t resonated with an ancient audience.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
  • For someone like me who loves both science and silliness, this playful, surreal fable was a glorious read.
    Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Parsons’ feature debut builds a woozy, minimalist mythology out of his shorts.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026
  • Jones also further expounds on the vampire’s wretched lineage and mythology through flashbacks.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • One table became two, then six locations across Southern California campuses.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • The lobby bar, called The Living Room, was busy with groups of friends sipping hot toddies and Champagne at low tables and around the fireplace.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • But the grande dame of Atlanta’s great Fourth of July tradition would not close the door entirely.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 15 June 2026
  • Specifically saying these white, thin, traditionally feminine bodies are not just aspirational but symbols of morality, tradition, purity.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Legend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legend. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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