foreign legion

American  

noun

1. a military unit consisting of foreign volunteers in the service of a state.

2. (initial capital letters) a specialized military unit of the French army, consisting of volunteers of all nationalities assigned to military operations and duties outside France.

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foreign legion British  

noun

1. a body of foreign volunteers serving in an army, esp that of France

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Etymology

Origin of foreign legion

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

“The Ukrainians just couldn’t keep up,” said one foreign legion soldier.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2023

Ukraine has called on foreigners to join their resistance to Russia’s invasion, and some have answered that call, though not all have been accepted in Ukraine’s foreign legion.

From Washington Times • Jun. 11, 2022

But for the Ukrainian government, battling the Russians on multiple fronts, the development of this foreign legion is still a work in progress.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2022

It took about five days for the Ukrainian foreign legion and Capone’s organization to approve his self-organized team of volunteer soldiers, Szolosky told The Verge.

From The Verge • Mar. 9, 2022

True," replied the prelate; "I was a captain in the foreign legion, and fought in Africa, where I got my cross of the Legion of Honour.

From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.