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 Soothe yourself by purchasing another non-fungible token of a FIFA legend during the game’s fifth hydration break. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 More than just a fashion documentary, L’Amour Fou is a portrait of the man behind the legend. — Federica Caiazzo, Vanity Fair, 1 Aug. 2026 The former site of world-famous Fantasy Studios, a Berkeley property with ties to legends of the music and film industries, has been bought by a group led by an East Bay real estate executive. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 In its first outing, the car was driven by Mexican racing legend Pedro Rodriguez, finishing second overall at the Bridgehampton Double 500. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 July 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
  • Bündchen wrote in both English and Portuguese in the caption of her slideshow.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Kris, 70, announced the news in the caption of her Instagram post.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of caption
Noun
  • Street skits satirized the myth of Modi’s tea-seller origins.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • His adventures traversing a broken land of haunted people and animals may be less the stuff of future myth and more about trauma, but Yoon brilliantly creates voices for human and canine that make both more whole.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • Museum staff said the joke has become part of its folklore and reflects the city’s sense of humor.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Instead, like the Boston Red Sox and the ‘Curse of the Bambino‘, Mayo’s long years of heartbreak come wrapped in a cloud of superstitious folklore.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • His job is to give Evenepoel radio instructions — simplicity is the key — with Vila driving and Wale providing technical information to Lodewyck when needed.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The real key is not just the quality of your data, but also the clarity of your workflows, decision rights and escalation paths.
    — Seema Phull, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of key
Noun
  • The Little Prince is one of those books that is thought of as both a philosophical fable for children and adults.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
  • Explore the Wild West from the back of a rickety wagon as characters share famed fables about Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, Pecos Bill, John Henry and Hekeke.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Along the narrow hallway, bookshelves burst with first editions of John Updike, battered Stephen Kings, graphic novels, dime-store paperbacks, board games, books about mythology, children’s fairy tales, and Warhammer rule sets.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • Named Greek mythology’s fearsome Titan, Kronosaurus ruled the Early Cretaceous waters near present-day Australia.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • The plan to consolidate FIFA’s commercial and event operations into a new commercial subsidiary valued at $20 billion is off the table, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine, meanwhile, has escalated its retaliatory strikes on Russia in recent months, partly to pressure Moscow to the negotiating table after nearly four-and-a-half years of war.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The Nationals started calling some pitches from the dugout earlier this month, becoming the latest MLB team among a small but growing cohort who are breaking from the sport’s tradition in search of an analytical advantage.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • In the neighboring town, local tradition also places it as the burial site of John the Baptist.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on legend

Nglish: Translation of legend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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