1
: any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers)
2
: a square league
1
a
: an association of nations or other political entities for a common purpose
the League of Nations
the League of Voters
b(1)
: an association of persons or groups united by common interests or goals
He organized a bowling league.
(2)
: a group of sports teams that regularly play one another
the National Football League
c
: an informal alliance
in league with her sister
leagued; leaguing
: to unite in a league
: to form a league
Examples of league in a Sentence
Noun (2)
a league of concerned parishioners who are seeking a greater voice in church affairs
created to avert future wars, the League of Nations was a forerunner of the United Nations
that falls into a different league of fiction—the popular novel
Verb
the whole block leagued together to keep a liquor store from opening in their neighborhood
some unlikely political bedfellows leagued together to get the bill passed
Recent Examples on the Web
Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Dryden continued to win awards for his performance on the ice hockey field, including the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in his first full season of 1971-72, and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender five times, including during the 1972-73, 1975-76 and 1978-79 seasons.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
The Magpies are set to lose their star striker, Alexander Isak, to league competitor Liverpool, and need a replacement.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for league
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Noun
With the clock two minutes into stoppage time past the 90th minute, Mercado — whose goal 43 seconds into last week’s season opener set a league record — delivered once again in her new uniform.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Dryden continued to win awards for his performance on the ice hockey field, including the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in his first full season of 1971-72, and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender five times, including during the 1972-73, 1975-76 and 1978-79 seasons.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
Which leagues’ windows will still be open after today?
—Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
The Magpies are set to lose their star striker, Alexander Isak, to league competitor Liverpool, and need a replacement.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for league
Cite this Entry
“League.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/league. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
league
1 of 2 noun
: any of various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers)
league
2 of 2 noun1
: an association or alliance of nations
2
: an association of persons or groups united for common interests or goals
a softball league
league
verb
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