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 78-year-old music venue, still standing amid the crumbling history around it, including the construction of a subway stop next door, has hosted countless legends on its stage. — Karen Bliss, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2026 Ten years ago, Capdevila was part of a Spanish La Liga legends exhibition team that faced a team of all-stars from Iran in Tehran. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 According to local legend, and later documented by Atlas Obscura, a rat infestation in the 1980s is what first brought the cats to Parque Kennedy. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026 Nils Liedholm, Sweden vs Brazil, 1958 Great feet from the Milan legend, beating two Brazilians before finding the corner beyond goalkeeper Gilmar’s reach. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 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
  • In all likelihood, the legends of those battles, passed down through song, grew into myth, hence how the character of Odysseus was probably born.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026
  • The filmmaker who has spent his career defending the theatrical experience adapts one of literature’s foundational myths on an enormous scale.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • Spearheading the club’s immediate promotion to the Premier League would further cement his place in West Ham folklore.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Over the course of 22 episodes, the Doomies crew encounters vampires, parasitic demons, vicious mermaids, and some spirits specific to French folklore, all rendered as real threats towards our heroes.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 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
  • In Greek mythology, Odysseus is the legendary king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Bulgari did not need to manufacture a mythology for the moment; its archive was already fluent in one.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • The picture Joe’s posted on social media included England players Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn at an outdoors table.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • Folks who receive the cards also send Pinta photos — of their tables covered in cards, their refrigerators covered in cards, their mailboxes stuffed with cards.
    — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 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 22 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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