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 The official residence was the site of two bloody coup attempts in the 1930s, and legend has it that the building is haunted by ghosts. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 The latter cover the landscape in the Algarve in late winter; legend has it that the pale pink, almost white, almond trees were planted many centuries ago by a Moorish prince for his homesick Nordic bride to resemble snow. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 The start of a stone crab legend As a young investment banker working on mergers and acquisitions, Duarte started to grow frustrated with his career and began to think about starting a new one. — Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 In this way, Matt Johnson’s Tony is a fitting tribute to the troubadour chef, whose own legend has only grown since his death by suicide in 2018. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 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
  • Klitschko concluded the caption, which accompanied a radiant photo of Panettiere, with another birthday send-off to the late actress.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The caption for Kolder’s video appears to contain what looks like an affiliate link, offering a 30 percent discount on an annual Higgsfield subscription.
    — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of caption
Noun
  • One of the more popular myths accepted as fact is that the WNBA has bricked the breakaway slam dunk that is Caitlin Clark phenomenon.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The pervading myth goes that Henry was knowingly tricked into marrying Anne of Cleves by her falsely beguiling thirst trap of a portrait.
    — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • That phone call has rightly already been enshrined in Arsenal folklore.
    — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In the case of John, though, had one of you been dabbling in Swiss folklore at the time?
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • Norvell seemingly embraced a CEO role, handing the keys of the offense to Malzahn.
    — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
  • With SynthID-style watermarking, a secret key and the preceding text influence that choice.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of key
Noun
  • Even the 2025 Tigers, the team that staved off a monumental late-season collapse, lives on as a fable highlighting the importance of playing the whole schedule.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Remember, in Aesop’s fable about the hare and the tortoise, slow and steady won the race.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • The slate will span genres including mythology, drama, mystery, thriller and romance.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There is no reason entering the 2026 season to dismiss any Cignetti mythology the imagination can manufacture.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • There’s a small kitchenette and landing with a dining table, nice for a morning coffee or simply the feeling of having a little more space.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The average points earned by England’s champions has surged this century; correspondingly, those at the bottom of the table are picking up ever fewer victories.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of table
Noun
  • Plessi was best known for engaging history and tradition with the digital, creating installations that took on an architecture of their own.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Parton had a large hand in paving the way for any subsequent entertainer who tried to navigate the push and pull between pop commerciality and musical tradition, inside and outside of country, from Garth Brooks to Shania Twain to Miley Cyrus.
    — Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on legend

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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