legion

American  

[lee-juhn] / ˈli dʒən /

noun

1. a division of the Roman army, usually comprising 3000 to 6000 soldiers.

2. a military or semimilitary unit.

3. the Legion.

   1. American Legion.

   2. foreign legion.

4. any large group of armed men.

5. any great number of persons or things; multitude.

   Synonyms:

   sea, host, mass, throng

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adjective

1. very great in number.

   The holy man's faithful followers were legion.

legion British  

/ ˈliːdʒən /

noun

1. a military unit of the ancient Roman army made up of infantry with supporting cavalry, numbering some three to six thousand men

2. any large military force

   the French Foreign Legion

3. (usually capital) an association of ex-servicemen

   the British Legion

4. (often plural) any very large number, esp of people

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adjective

1. (usually postpositive) very large or numerous

Usage

What is a legion? A legion is a large group of people or things, most commonly soldiers, as in World-famous author Stephen King has a legion of fans. Legion can also describe a very large number, as in The number of soccer fans around the world is legion.During the Roman Empire, legion referred to a division of the army that numbered between 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers. As a result, we use legion to refer to a large number of soldiers. However, legion is now used more generally to mean any big group of people or things.Example: The city was filled with legions of fans after the rock star announced they would perform a concert there.

Etymology

Origin of legion

1175–1225; Middle English legi ( o ) un (< Old French ) < Latin legiōn- (stem of legiō ) picked body of soldiers, equivalent to leg ( ere ) to gather, choose, read + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Since his successful bet against the housing market, Burry has amassed a legion of online fans who pore over his posts in forums including Reddit’s Burryology.

From The Wall Street Journal

This time, she would be competing against a legion of other job seekers in an unforgiving market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Silver has also soared, sweeping up legions of amateur investors, ranging from newly committed collectors to Reddit-inspired speculators trading in and out of exchange-traded funds that offer exposure to silver without having to store it.

From The Wall Street Journal

That makes it hard for the holiday villain to visit sick kids in the hospital, as legions of Santas do every year, or comfort children who confide in him about bullying.

From Los Angeles Times

Along with legions of other kids who grew up in Colorado, Parker and Stone fondly remember making the trek to the Casa Bonita of their 1980s youth.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• army
• flock
• horde
• multitude
• throng