league

¹

[leeg]

noun

1. a covenant or compact made between persons, parties, states, etc., for the promotion or maintenance of common interests or for mutual assistance or service.

2. the aggregation of persons, parties, states, etc., associated in such a covenant or compact; confederacy.

   Synonyms: coalition, combination

3. an association of individuals having a common goal.

4. Sports.,  a group of athletic teams organized to promote mutual interests and to compete chiefly among themselves: a tri-county community softball league.

   a bowling league for ages 12–18;

   a tri-county community softball league.

5. Sports.

   1. a major league.

      He played in both leagues, with four different teams, but he’ll always be remembered most as a Cincinnati Red.

   2. a minor league.

      During her tenure as general manager of the league in Florida, eight of her players were promoted to the majors.

6. group; class; category.

   As a pianist he just simply isn't in your league.

verb (used with or without object)

leagued, leaguing 

1. to unite in a league; combine. People are judged, fairly or not, by the company that they keep, and the people they league themselves with.

   Some unlikely political bedfellows leagued together to get the bill passed.

   People are judged, fairly or not, by the company that they keep, and the people they league themselves with.

league

²

[leeg]

noun

1. a unit of distance, varying at different periods and in different countries: in English-speaking countries usually estimated roughly at 3 miles (4.8 kilometers).

2. a square league, as a unit of land measure, estimated roughly at 4,428 acres (1,791.9 hectares).

league

¹

/ liːɡ /

noun

1. an association or union of persons, nations, etc, formed to promote the interests of its members

2. an association of sporting clubs that organizes matches between member teams of a similar standard

3. a class, category, or level

   he is not in the same league

4. working or planning together (with)

5. (modifier) of, involving, or belonging to a league

   a league game

   a league table

verb

1. to form or be formed into a league

league

²

/ liːɡ /

noun

1. an obsolete unit of distance of varying length. It is commonly equal to 3 miles

Word History and Origins

Origin of league¹

First recorded in 1425–75; from French ligue, from Italian liga, lega, from legare, from Latin ligāre “to tie, bind”

Origin of league²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lege, leghe, leuge, from Old French legue, from Late Latin leuga, leuca, a Gaulish unit of distance equal to 1.5 Roman miles, apparently from Gaulish; (compare Breton leó, leu, lev “league”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of league¹

C15: from Old French ligue, from Italian liga, ultimately from Latin ligāre to bind

Origin of league²

C14 leuge, from Late Latin leuga, leuca, of Celtic origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in league, working together, often secretly or for a harmful purpose; united.

   By putting yourself in league with corrupt and ruthless leaders, you will end up paying in the long run.

see big league; in league with; in the same league.

Synonym Study

See alliance.

Example Sentences

The NBA board of governors unanimously approved Mark Walter’s bid to buy a majority stake in the Lakers on Thursday, the league announced, marking a major shift for one of L.A.’s most significant sports teams.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Blue Jays have a $250 million payroll that puts them fifth in the league.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Trey Yesavage walked the first two batters he ever faced in professional baseball, and his pitching coach at the lowest level of the minor leagues was concerned.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Blue Jays’ starting pitcher, Trey Yesavage, made his first major league appearance 45 days ago.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Seven-time champions Australia come into the match with six wins in their seven league games, the other being a washout.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• club 
• company 
• conference 
• group 
• organization 
• society 
• union