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 Basketball legend Michael Jordan has been seen getting on and off his yacht at Nammos, the island’s most famous beach club that boasts Las Vegas-type show girls in skimpy costumes. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 After shooting, Hou would gather other filmmakers and actors, including French screen legend Isabelle Huppert, who had also been invited to the program for karaoke. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 25 July 2026 Johnny Manziel built his legend at Texas A&M as a flamboyant quarterback and was a 2014 first-round selection by the Cleveland Browns. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 25 July 2026 The director appeared via video at the panel, with the 100-year-old legend serving as a producer and actor on the sequel. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 25 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
  • The show feels like a street dance crossed with a concert (at one point the musicians are introduced by name) that happens to have a hallowed myth threaded down the middle of it.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • To cap it off, the Messi Test also takes the air out of a prevailing myth, which is an oversimplification of a more nuanced reality.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • In some folklore stories, Lilith is a woman who ran away from Adam in the Garden of Eden to live a more independent life.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 22 July 2026
  • Relics of a bygone age of feudalism, folklore and fairytales.
    — Donna Hardie-Scott, Forbes.com, 22 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
  • Zendaya doubled down on the Greek mythology references in another standout Schiaparelli couture look.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 23 July 2026
  • Judgment Day in the sci-fi franchise’s mythology occurs on August 29, 1997.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • Demolishing folding tables has become so popular — and worrisome — at Bills games that retail prices of tables in Western New York have been known to increase during football season.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • And while there are still comic artists and writers at small tables signing and sketching, and dealers selling original art out of binders in crates, a good chunk of the space is occupied by media and toy companies, trying to outdo one another.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 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 27 Jul. 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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