1
: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people
Paul Bunyan is a figure from folklore.
Like its predecessor, the game draws from elements of African folklore and spiritual beliefs.—
Megan Farokhmanesh
Megan Farokhmanesh2
: a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore
a specialist in folklore
3
: an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated
the folklore about the health risks of computers
Examples of folklore in a Sentence
The coyote appears in a great deal of Native American folklore.
the rich folklore of Louisiana
He can't tell the difference between fact and folklore.
Recent Examples on the Web
The duo’s inspiration—from Italian folklore, art, architecture, opera, cinema, religion, and the sheer beauty of their native country—shines through.
—Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
But his place in Wrexham folklore alongside Paul Mullin, Ben Tozer et al is assured.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Kat Sandler is behind Yaga, which is an adaptation of her play that centers on the myth of Baba Yaga, a female character from Slavic folklore who is depicted as a witch.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
This blend of folklore and physics effectively turned a cultural holiday into a showcase for national industrial prowess.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
But his place in Wrexham folklore alongside Paul Mullin, Ben Tozer et al is assured.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Kat Sandler is behind Yaga, which is an adaptation of her play that centers on the myth of Baba Yaga, a female character from Slavic folklore who is depicted as a witch.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
This blend of folklore and physics effectively turned a cultural holiday into a showcase for national industrial prowess.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folklore
Cite this Entry
“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
folklore
noun
folk·lore
ˈfōk-ˌlō(ə)r 
-ˌlȯ(ə)r
: customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings of a people handed down from generation to generation
folkloric
adjective
-ˌlȯr-ik
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