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 Marwan Hamed and Yousry Nasrallah Two legends of Egyptian cinema, filmmaker Marwan Hamed, whose works are celebrated in IFFR’s 2026 retrospective, and director Yousry Nasrallah will discuss Hamed’s biopic El Sett (IFFR 2026) as well as highlights from their filmmaking careers. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 Stingray's clue package mentioned their mom would host parties attended by music legends like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 And those Hurricanes legends of the past are enjoying the ride with them every step of the way. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026 Or Bésame Mucho, a festival at Circuit of the Americas where Spanish rock legends, corridos and salsa icons like Elvis Crespo prove the city can turn chilly nights into multi-generational dance floors. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026 Home to country legends and rising stars, the Opry today has a seating capacity of nearly 4,400, with over 30 sections. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026 The advisory board will consist of up to two delegates from each club, including investors, cultural leaders and sports legends. Jessica Golden, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025 As Drag Race viewers know, Plasma is a Broadway baby through and through, a Gay White Way devotee whose humor and style draws on legends like Barbra Streisand and Bernadette Peters. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 Japanese cinema legends Yamada Yoji and Yoshinaga Sayuri were honored with lifetime achievement awards. Mark Schilling, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legends
Noun
  • Festive Accents Holiday accents and decor, such as bowls, extra candles, and sculptural objects, can pile up on entryway tables and dining consoles during the holidays.
    Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
  • During live demonstrations, the robot performed everyday household tasks such as picking up laundry, opening appliances, and clearing tables.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Another anniversary gift featured in the post was a photo album with thoughtful captions that chronicled the couple's relationship.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • But none of the photos had captions and was no explanation given for why any of them were together.
    Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • This week’s challenge tests your memory of 21st-century books that were inspired by ancient myths, legends and folk tales.
    New York Times, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Because of this rare condition, superstitions and myths have permeated certain African countries, both positive and negative.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • What mattered to me is what the comet meant in Polynesian mythologies.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Evolutionary thinkers have long argued that humans evolved to notice snakes, which might explain why these creatures slither into a vast number of mythologies, from Quetzalcoatl in Mexico and Damballa in West Africa to celestial dragons in China.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This lightweight bag provides ample space for belongings like your keys, phone, and wallet, without weighing you down.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
  • In 2024, Brouwer and his team implemented a way to send large files, like images or videos, separately from their smaller encryption keys.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • To obtain a residence permit, applicants must provide evidence of their stay in Bulgaria, a clean criminal record certificate from their country of residence, translations of any foreign documents into Bulgarian, and meet the official minimum income threshold of $36,168 USD per year.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Bang’s unconventional approach was inspired by an encounter with a medley of 47 different English translations of the Inferno’s famous first three lines assembled by the poet Caroline Bergvall.
    Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Geminis have a tendency to speak of fables to protect themselves or to make their lives seem more fulfilling.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
  • His movies — farces, fables, experiments — reside in surreal worlds of their own.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
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 19 Jan. 2026.

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