Definition of LEGEND (original) (raw)
1
a
: a story coming down from the past
especially : one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable
the legend of a lost continent
b
: a body of such stories
a place in the legend of the frontier
c
: a popular myth of recent origin
the legend of the Loch Ness monster
d
: a person or thing that inspires legends
e
: the subject of a legend
its violence was legend even in its own time—
William Broyles Jr.
2
a
: an inscription or title on an object (such as a coin)
The quarter bore the legend "In God We Trust."
b
The legend identifies the various parts of the illustrated anatomy.
c
: an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart
Synonyms
Examples of legend in a Sentence
I don't believe the legends I've heard about this forest. the legend of a lost continent He has become a baseball legend. The gravestone bears the legend “Rest in Peace.”
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Following the thrilling announcement that Rilo Kiley will reunite this year for festival appearances, the indie legends dropped full tour dates — their first since 2008. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2025 Alicia Keys turned out alongside her husband, music legend Swizz Beatz, and their two sons, Egypt, 14, and Genesis, 10. —Riann Phillip, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025 Brown and fellow local legend Burt Myers will attempt to earn starting spots in the Clash at Bowman Gray during the Last Chance Qualifier that starts at around 6:40 p.m. Sunday. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025 Country music legend Willie Nelson and iconic folk rocker Bob Dylan are headed to the Sacramento area this spring with a popular touring music festival. —Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for legend 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English legende, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda, from Latin, feminine of legendus, gerundive of legere to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason
First Known Use
circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of legend was circa 1500
Dictionary Entries Near legend
Cite this Entry
“Legend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legend. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 7 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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