league

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

Examples of league in a Sentence

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
Birmingham has never won a league title under coach Matt Mowry and to be out front this early is unusual. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 That’s how many see baseball — the league with the Dodgers ... and the 29 teams chasing them. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024 What recently looked like a two-bid league ended up receiving four (one automatic and three at-large). Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 Of course, a coach who had won any of the major domestic leagues on a first try would be in demand by bigger clubs. Rory Smith, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The league has also televised games from other leagues in the past, including with the AFL, the Canadian Football League, Alliance of American Football and American Flag Football League. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Jason officially announced his retirement from the NFL in an emotional press conference on March 4, after 13 seasons in the league, seven Pro Bowl selections, six first-team All-Pro selections and one Super Bowl title. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Even with a subscription to nearly every streaming service, bars can’t show the plethora of women’s games that lack commercial licensing, including many that stream exclusively on Peacock or that can be viewed with the WNBA league pass. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 The league is shaking up NFL Network’s morning football talk show, Good Morning Football, moving production from New York to Los Angeles, and plotting a two-hour extension of the series, which will be sold in syndication. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
He was promoted to offensive coordinator two years later, helping the franchise to a 14-2 record while coaching quarterback Lamar Jackson to league MVP honors. Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'league.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of league was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near league

Cite this Entry

“League.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/league. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

league

1 of 2 noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on league

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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