league

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlēg 

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

league

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

2

: class, category

When I played chess with George, I knew I was out of my league.

league

3 of 3

verb

leagued; leaguing

transitive verb

: to unite in a league

intransitive verb

: to form a league

Synonyms of league

Noun (2)

• organization
• institution
• association
• institute
• society
• fraternity
• chamber
• brotherhood
• council

Verb

• cooperate
• unite
• club
• collaborate

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

Noun

Coming off his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season, Williams has a platform as one of the top running backs in the league. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

This is how the league got to 17 games from 16 games in the first place. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

After playing host to league newcomer Boston on May 30 (more about expansion in a moment), the Current’s next home game isn’t until July 17, the Friday before the World Cup final. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2026

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert missed Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee due to league suspension after accruing his sixth flagrant foul in Sunday’s win over San Antonio. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English leuge, lege, from Late Latin leuga

Noun (2) and Verb

Middle English (Scots) ligg, from Middle French ligue, from Old Italian liga, from ligare to bind, from Latin — more at ligature

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing league

• big league
• bush league
• fantasy league
• in a different league
• in a league of one's own
• in league
• league table
• major league
• minor league
• not in the same league
• out of one's league

Rhymes for league

• blitzkrieg
• fatigue
• intrigue
• muskeg
• chincoteague

Kids Definition

league

1 of 2 noun

ˈlēg 

: 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 noun

1

: an association or alliance of nations

2

: an association of persons or groups united for common interests or goals

a softball league

league verb