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
India’s community radio environment has seen slow growth but has been important in preserving local dialects and minority music and folklore traditions while also advocating for women’s and children’s rights.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
While that performative version combines video, live performance, sound, ritual action, and folklore into an immersive whole, the exhibition at Gropius Bau takes a different approach.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
It’s called ‘Spiral’ and it’s set in 1980s Ireland and dripping in folklore, repression and the strangeness of the Irish countryside.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
By Julie Beck Children have a folklore all their own, and the games, rhymes, trends, and legends that catch on spread to many kids across time and space.
—Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
While that performative version combines video, live performance, sound, ritual action, and folklore into an immersive whole, the exhibition at Gropius Bau takes a different approach.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
It’s called ‘Spiral’ and it’s set in 1980s Ireland and dripping in folklore, repression and the strangeness of the Irish countryside.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
By Julie Beck Children have a folklore all their own, and the games, rhymes, trends, and legends that catch on spread to many kids across time and space.
—Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 11 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 26 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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