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 There are legends in every game — football, basketball, soccer — but in tennis, the acronym GOAT (greatest of all time) might feel most fitting. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026 Sports legend LeBron James speaking at the CNBC Game Plan Summit in New York City on July 16, 2026. — Lillian Rizzo,jessica Golden, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 And so the two came together, that’s where the legend of Robin Hood began, and this is a movie set against that. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 The most crowded area could be found in the Lower Lot, where Universal paid homage to music legend Ozzy Osbourne. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 4 Sep. 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
  • Motherhood appeared to be a point of pride for Ortiz, who posted photos of herself with her daughter on her Facebook page through the 2010s with adoring captions marking milestones.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • He's got big plans for Season 3 Popular captions for the meme joke about male authority figures like dads and uncles ordering the viewer to do ludicrous tasks.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of caption
Noun
  • Berlinger maintained Manson's reputation as an evil mastermind was fueled more by myth than reality.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • By the time of publication, the myth had overtaken the analytics.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • According to folklore, as with many of the United Kingdom’s more bizarre sports and pastimes, the idea to jump into the bog and snorkel was conceived after a few ales in a local pub.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sci-fi blends with folklore as shamans stand in fields to anoint the new drone gods.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • The key was Gingrich's optimism and a detailed agenda which could fit on a postcard.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The key is that Weldun doesn’t only stock clothing purpose-built for accessibility and functionality.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of key
Noun
  • The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sullivan’s Anne first aired on PBS the very same night, for instance, that the erotic multicultural dance fable Flashdance was first shown on network TV.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • His front row was the stuff of fashion mythology, the kind of group that could only be summoned by a muse collector of Ackermann’s caliber.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In Forgotten Island, inspired by Philippine mythology, two childhood friends become trapped on a colorful island that feeds on memories.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • There is still a strong chance the fight ends up at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as nothing has yet been agreed to switch to London, but Hearn’s revelation has seemingly brought the English capital back to the table.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The timing caught the plaintiffs off guard, with attorneys sharing the news amongst them at the table.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • The young royal’s enrollment marked a departure from years of tradition, replacing Scottish boarding school Gordonstoun with an institution that was closer to Princess Diana and then-Prince Charles.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In August, Prince Alois announced a change to royal succession rules to allow women to ascend the throne on equal terms with men, breaking with three centuries of dynastic tradition.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on legend

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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