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 Borrowing an old tuxedo from a local woman whose husband had died, Baldwin rode onto the field on the back of a Carolina ram at the next home game, and a legend was born. — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026 Messi's 40 goal contributions are nine shy of Carlos Vela's record set in 2019 with Los Angeles FC, and the Miami legend has four matches remaining to break it. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Andrew Schulz is a shock comedian firmly ensconced in the Joe Rogan and Kill Tony universes, while Eric Andre is an Adult Swim legend beloved on the opposite side of the alternative comedy spectrum. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 While filming a scene where Stallone got tackled by WWE legend Steve Austin, the stunt went wrong and left Stallone with dislocated shoulders and a fractured neck that required more than seven back surgeries. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 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
  • Meanwhile, on Snapchat, the top three luxury brands mentioned in public captions between August 1 and September 10, were Gucci, Dior, and Prada.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The caption goes further The ad’s punch line ties directly to the film’s themes.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of caption
Noun
  • Yaga reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga, set in a coastal town.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Dante populated his realms of Hell and Purgatory with figures, monsters and moral frameworks borrowed directly from classical Greek and Roman myths.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • John Henry, one of the most famous characters in American folklore, was in fact a Black man who died while part of a prison work gang excavating a railway tunnel in western Virginia in the early 1870s.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The National Weather Service says there are two versions of the folklore.
    — Ray Petelin, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • Turang said the key is what happens when they are faced with adversity — like Sunday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • An attention head compares each word’s query with the keys of all the other words in the sentence.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of key
Noun
  • Using a fable-like tone, the film provides a fresh perspective on the G8 violence that became a watershed moment in the anti-globalization movement.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Ajon [Singh] talked a lot about that fable of the two wolves.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Taking a cue from Dante himself, Curci also borrowed motifs from popular mythology.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In mythology, a centaur is a composite creature with the head, arms and torso of a human joined to the body and legs of a horse.
    — Alexandra J. Zanela, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • The round dining table conveys a sense of clarity and play on geometry.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Talarico engaged in a debate with six voters from across the political spectrum, with each coming to the stage to sit down across the table from the candidate.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • What was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration has been marked by profound sadness.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Selig in essence dumped his team’s AL tradition for a few more home games with the Cubs and their money-spending fans from the North Shore.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on legend

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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