legends

Definition of legendsnext
plural of legend
1
as in tables
an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town

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2
as in captions
an explanation or description accompanying a pictorial illustration the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%

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3
as in myths
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks

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4
as in mythologies
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place that story of how the world came to be has long been part of Native American legend

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legends Other Barca legends to net dead balls in Clasicos include Ronald Koeman and Ronaldinho. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 May 2026 The former catcher was one of the six coaches fired last month following the team’s 10-17 start, so when the six Red Sox legends threw out their ceremonial first pitch, Martinez threw to current catcher Connor Wong instead of his former teammate. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026 This week, Connecticut welcomes legends such as The Wailers and Capleton, but also the younger dancehall star Kranium. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026 The river and the canyon are so vital to Nimiipuu people that they are deeply embedded in their culture and legends. Kelsey Olsen, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026 The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026 Seatbacks will go for $199, and seatbacks autographed by Steelers' legends will be $299. Patrick Damp, CBS News, 8 May 2026 MacKinnon, who surpassed 400 goals and 1,100 points in his career this season, has finished in the top three of the Hart voting more times than franchise legends Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Patrick Roy combined. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 The channel is being developed through the company’s Historyverse creative unit, which is shaping the editorial approach across a slate that spans historical narratives, legends and philosophical storytelling. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legends
Noun
  • The windows open to allow diners to perch on either side of the facade and inside there is a snug six tables.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Hayes avoided a superplex attempt and turned the tables on Saints, hitting a frog splash.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The inside of Perfect Scents, a South Plaza greeting card shop, contains dozens of photographs (both framed and unframed) with captions of owner Nancy Pell’s family.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee May 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
  • Some Regal Cinemas now make Sony Entertainment Access Glasses available to customers wishing to utilize captions.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The myths of Gollum and Frankenstein are obviously massively influential in the narrative structure people are imposing on this.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
  • Like so many historical myths, this swashbuckling tale of pirates, court accusations, and gossip, which frames the rags-to-riches emergence of this American family, is rife with historical fiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • America has its own mythologies of masculine desire, and many of them are worse.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • His works are also challenging to date precisely, due in part to his displacement and transpacific migration, and the Spencer show reflects this by abandoning a chronological framework in favor of a thematic exploration of his own mythologies.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This adjustable sling bag has plenty of space for your phone, cash, keys, and other daily essentials, and is constructed with locking zippers to ward off potential thieves.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
  • Key size Larger keys make adding machines easier to use.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Both reiterated, however, that the investigation was still active and the translations almost complete.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • What Olga has made clear, even through rough translations, are the dire conditions she’s faced in prison.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • That Niall finds Ruben so alluring is natural to Gadd, who believes the notion of a valiant male figure has been bred into everyone via fables and fairy tales.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Fortnum & Mason does not need a goose from Aesop’s fables to have a golden egg.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The kallikantzaroi are a group of blind, black goblins who live underground during most of the year sawing at the world tree – a motif throughout various folklores that connects the heavens to the Earth.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Legends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legends. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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