foreign legion

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.

foreign legion

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign legion¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

"I want to volunteer in the Foreign Legion," said Troy, feeling as if the veins of his forehead would burst.

From Project Gutenberg

I closed the doors, sent the porter to his place in the Foreign Legion, and ran to the levee to see the sights.

From Project Gutenberg

We would fight for France and wear a red cardigan in the Foreign Legion.

From Project Gutenberg

When Max had served four months in the Foreign Legion he felt older by four years.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowadays the great marches of the Foreign Legion are not what they once were, unless for government maneuvers.

From Project Gutenberg