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 This year's event featured a Parade of Nations, appearances by Olympic legends, and sports demonstrations across dozens of host communities. Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Ghostbusters legend Dan Aykroyd is EPing Night Shift. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 June 2026 Tennis legend Chris Evert revealed that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time. Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 25 June 2026 But Laura Dern — a screen legend in her own right — lost her mom. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for legend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legend
Noun
  • The photo was accompanied by a caption personally written by the princess.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
  • With a simple red heart as her caption, Johansen posted pictures of herself in the red jacket — that has Haaland's name on the back — as well as photos of herself in the stands as Norway took on Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Monday, June 22.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The piece’s name is also a nod to a Greek myth, in which the 50 daughters of King Danaos—the Danaïdes—were ordered to kill their husbands on their wedding night.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 June 2026
  • Reinventing the Batman myth for a new generation of fans, Absolute Batman reimagines the Dark Knight as a working-class hero up against impossible odds on a mission to prove that even in an era of wealth, power and corruption, one good person can change the world.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Robin Hood has long been a mascot for social justice, anti-corruption and anti-greed, but this movie posits that there’s a much darker side to the folklore around him.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
  • Through this historical lens, even Robin Hood folklore played differently.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • The Airbnb logo appears on a mobile phone screen next to a key in Athens, Greece, on February 24, 2026.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Not to lose your messages and media, set up your Signal Backup (Settings -> Backups -> Enable backups -> View recovery key -> Copy to clipboard -> Next -> Enter the recovery key -> Next -> Continue -> Choose your backup plan).
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • 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.
    Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • But the turtle/cat comment just sounds like a summary of Aesop’s absolute worst fable.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • While the new Supergirl stars Alcock, 26, as a very different kind of Kara from the one Slater played, the actress believes this new story fits perfectly within the character's mythology.
    Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
  • The work interweaves South and Southeast Asian mythologies and histories with Western cultural touchstones—from canonical artists to sacred texts—often with a deliberate sense of unease.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • With salon gel manicures and pedicures climbing past $40 a visit, social media tutorials demystifying nail care and growing concern about gel ingredients, more people are trading the salon chair for a setup on the kitchen table.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • Stepping out of a restaurant onto the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, as diners sit at street tables, the shooter pulls out a gun and fires on his targets from behind.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Each exchange led to a conversation about how their traditions and lives differed.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Andronis describes the restaurant as a traditional Greek taverna set against the caldera cliffs, blending Greek traditions with Santorini’s romance and exclusivity.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Legend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legend. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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