leg
noun
\ ˈleg also ˈlāg
\
\
Definition of leg
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: such as
a(1)
: one of the paired vertebrate limbs that in bipeds extend from the top of the thigh to the foot
(2)
: the part of such a limb between the knee and foot
b
: the back half of a hindquarter of a meat animal
c
: one of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling
2a
: a pole or bar serving as a support or prop
the legs of a tripod
b
: a branch of a forked or jointed object
the legs of a compass
3a
: the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg
b
: the part of the upper (as of a boot) that extends above the ankle
5
: a side of a right triangle that is not the hypotenuse
also
: a side of an isosceles triangle that is not the base
6a
: the course and distance sailed by a boat on a single tack
b
: a portion of a trip : stage
c
: one section of a relay race
d
: one of several events or games necessary to be won to decide a competition
won the first two legs of horse racing's Triple Crown
7
: a branch or part of an object or system
8
legs plural
: long-term appeal or interest
a news story with legs
a leg to stand on
on one's last legs
: support
especially
: a basis for one's position in a controversy
: at or near the end of one's resources : on the verge of failure, exhaustion, or ruin
leg
verb
legged;
legging
Definition of leg (Entry 2 of 3)
: to use the legs in walking
especially
: run
leg
abbreviationDefinition of leg (Entry 3 of 3)
1
legal
2
legato
3
legislative; legislature
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Other Words from leg
Noun
legless
\ ˈleg-ləs
also ˈlāg- \
adjective
also ˈlāg- \
adjective
a legless chair
legless lizards
leglike
or leg-like
adjective
leglike appendages
Examples of leg in a Sentence
Noun
He sat on a chair with his legs crossed. He leaned against the wall with his legs spread so the police could search him. She broke her leg in a skiing accident. His legs gave way under him and he fell over. We had chicken legs for dinner. Would you like some more leg of lamb? the legs of a table a chair with a broken leg
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The agency asked local residents to share personal surveillance footage that show the animals having trouble with their legs. — Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, "Florida panthers and bobcats are walking weird. Wildlife officials can't figure out why.," 21 Aug. 2019 As Cleaves pulls on her hands, she is seen bent at the waist with her legs resisting the pull. — John Wisely, Detroit Free Press, "How a Flint court battle became Mateen Cleaves' most divisive victory," 21 Aug. 2019 According to the Boston police report filed in court, officers found Tejeda smiling inside the ambulance, sitting upright on a gurney with her legs crossed. — John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Woman who allegedly attacked Boston EMT found not competent to stand trial," 16 Aug. 2019 His body could be held comfortably in her hand, with his legs and head flopping slightly with the gentle movement of her unwinding. — Jon Michaud, The New Yorker, "Julius: The Story of a Premature Birth," 15 Aug. 2019 Cousins also helped out with his legs, running for 10 yards on third-and-9 at the Minnesota 25 for the initial first down of the game. — Chris Tomasson, Twin Cities, "Kirk Cousins sharp in only series as Vikings win sixth straight preseason opener," 10 Aug. 2019 How to do it: Lie on your left side, with your legs stacked and your hips and knees both bent to 90 degrees. — Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, "12 Yoga Poses for Climbers to Do Daily," 9 Aug. 2019 And a Jackson who doesn’t threaten teams with his legs is not the real thing. — Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Five Things We Learned from the Ravens’ 29-0 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars," 9 Aug. 2019 Little True wore a pink frilly top as her mom lifted her up and down in the air with her legs. — Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, "Khloé Kardashian Shares Sweet Photo of Herself and True in Matching Outfits: 'A Leopard and Her Cub'," 6 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Both species have leg bones that make researchers think their feet were more important in swimming than those of modern penguins, or standing upright was not yet as important. — Jack Guy, CNN, "A "monster penguin" as big as a human once lived in New Zealand," 14 Aug. 2019 Both species have leg bones that make researchers think their feet were more important in swimming than those of modern penguins, or that standing upright was not yet as important. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "‘Monster penguin’ as big as a human lived in New Zealand," 14 Aug. 2019 Firefighter Charlie Winter tried it as a shark was biting his daughter’s leg June 2 off North Carolina’s Atlantic Beach. — Mark Price, charlotteobserver, "Is it a good idea to punch a shark in the nose during an attack? Experts weigh in," 4 June 2019 Finishing touches, including nailhead trim and leg colors, can also be selected. — Monique Valeris, ELLE Decor, "One Kings Lane is the Answer to Your Custom Furniture Needs," 17 Oct. 2018 Enter: the surprisingly flattering—and simultaneously leg toning—dad sneaker. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Kendall Jenner's Secret For Mile Long Legs Includes a Pair of $1,500 Adidas Sneakers," 24 July 2018 Varicose veins result from inborn vein characteristics, not leg position. — New York Times, "A Small Price for Sitting Pretty," 15 June 2018 Injury update: The Broncos lost senior defensive tackle David Moa and tailback Alexander Mattison, two important starters, to leg injuries in the first half. — Dave Southorn And Rachel Roberts, idahostatesman, "Final: Boise State 41, Utah State 14; Broncos roll as Rypien gets hot," 28 Oct. 2017 Derrick Comby, 28, suffered a gunshot wound to leg. — Justin Madden, cleveland.com, "Akron police looking to identify four possibly connected to fatal bar shooting," 24 Oct. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leg.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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