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
Despite Jamaica’s profound worldwide cultural influence, its folklore is rarely explored through a cinematic horror lens.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
From cultural to regional to familial folklore, any Southerner is bound to believe in a superstition or two.
—Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Behind the staggering number of chocolate bunnies sold each year is a centuries-old story rooted in German immigration, Pennsylvania folklore and a man’s towering milk chocolate creation that launched a national craze.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Folklore surrounding the festival One of the most popular accounts is the Punjabi folklore of Dulla Bhatti (full name Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti), who is believed to have lived in the 16th century during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
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Roberto Prieto, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
From cultural to regional to familial folklore, any Southerner is bound to believe in a superstition or two.
—Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Behind the staggering number of chocolate bunnies sold each year is a centuries-old story rooted in German immigration, Pennsylvania folklore and a man’s towering milk chocolate creation that launched a national craze.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Folklore surrounding the festival One of the most popular accounts is the Punjabi folklore of Dulla Bhatti (full name Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti), who is believed to have lived in the 16th century during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 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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