legend

noun

ˈle-jənd How to pronounce legend (audio)
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 Then Erika runs into her ex-husband, a theater legend who was once Hermann Göring’s favorite thespian and helped push Nazi propaganda leading up to the war. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 From a charismatic Formula 1 racing legend to a brilliant but flawed soccer god to a troubled, tragic singer, Academy Award-winning docmaker Asif Kapadia has made a career out of telling the stories of larger-than-life figures. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 Founded in Switzerland in 2010, On has collaborated with an impressive roster of partners over the last 16 years, from tennis legend Roger Federer to Spanish fashion house Loewe, all while staying true to its mission of celebrating movement. — Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The 85-year-old legend is still clearly having fun making music. — Angel Diaz, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legend
  1. caption
  2. myth
  3. folklore
  4. key
  5. fable
  6. mythology
  7. table
  8. tradition
Noun
  • The caption accompanied an aerial image of the group as seen on KTLA.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The bulk of the population actually engages in a rather high volume of daily digital reading--captions, emails, text and chat messages, news feeds, search results, etc.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of caption
Noun
  • Also intertwined are ancient myths of warring city-states, the raw, moody poetry of John Keats, and the modern battle between a faithless husband and his wife, the poem’s raging speaker.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In eighth-century myths the aes sidhe are literally called the tribe of the gods, and there’s a story as well, in an account of Patrick’s life written in the late seventh century.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • With eight episodes featuring Williams alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, Clark Backo, Noah Reid, and more, fans are in for secrets, seduction, folklore, and the supernatural.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Gallardo highlighted Argentine artist Milo J, who at 19 has connected younger listeners with the country’s traditional folklore.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • On his latest, Young’s major-key meditations on love and alienation are as winsome as a bay breeze, if occasionally as insubstantial.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Gradual progress is the key because a healthy relationship with technology won’t develop overnight.
    — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of key
Noun
  • The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister An eerie fable that seems to take place across and outside of time, The Bog Wife is already a classic of the modern bog-core genre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • There is this Indian fable of a king whose heart resided in a parrot.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Rather than relying on supernatural creatures or elaborate mythology, Fears to Fathom builds suspense around seemingly ordinary situations that take increasingly terrifying turns.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This one’s for the chocolate lovers who appreciate a little mythology lesson, too.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • Once again, if Tesla were bringing already big and fast-rising profits to the table, the task wouldn’t be nearly as difficult.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Military force may alter the balance of pain without resolving the disputes each side will eventually have to confront across the negotiating table.
    — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The next president, regardless of party, will face specific questions about how much to sustain the long tradition of direct US military aid to Israel and deep US integration with its military.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Spain, modern farming methods have reduced the practice of transhumance to a small group of farmers that keep the tradition alive not just for its environmental benefits but also for its cultural value.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of tradition

Browse Nearby Words

legations
legend
legendary
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Cite this Entry

“Legend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legend. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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