leg
either of the two lower limbs of a biped, as a human being, or any of the paired limbs of an animal, arthropod, etc., that support and move the body.
Anatomy. the lower limb of a human being from the knee to the ankle.
something resembling or suggesting a leg in use, position, or appearance.
the part of a garment that covers the leg: the legs of pantyhose; his trouser leg.
one of usually several, relatively tall, slender supports for a piece of furniture: sturdy piano legs.
one of the sides of a forked object, as of a compass or pair of dividers.
one of the sides of a triangle other than the base or hypotenuse.
a timber, bar, or the like, serving to prop or shore up a structure.
one of the flanges of an angle iron.
one of the distinct sections of any course: the last leg of a trip.
Nautical.
one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a sailing ship.
one straight or nearly straight part of a multiple-sided course in a sailing race.
Sports.
one of a designated number of contests that must be successfully completed in order to determine the winner.
one of the stretches or sections of a relay race.
legs, Slang. staying power, especially the capacity to draw large audiences steadily over a long period: I had hoped for a bestseller, but my second novel had no legs.
legs, (in wine tasting) the rivulets of wine that slowly descend along the inside of a glass after the wine has been swirled, sometimes regarded as an indication that the wine is full-bodied.
Cricket.
the part of the field to the left of and behind the batsman as he faces the bowler or to the right of and behind him if he is left-handed.
the fielder playing this part of the field.
the position of this fielder.
Electricity. a component or branch of a circuit, network, antenna, etc.
Radio and Television. a connecting link between stations in a network, as the microwave relays used in transmitting a show from one geographical area to another.
to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.
leg up, to help (someone) to mount a horse.
Idioms about leg
break a leg. break (def. 113).
leg it, Informal. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
leg up,
a means of help or encouragement; assist; boost: Studying the material with a tutor will give you a leg up on passing the exam.
advantage; edge.
not have a leg to stand on, to lack a valid or logical basis for one's argument or attitude: Without evidence, the prosecutor doesn't have a leg to stand on.
on one's / its last legs, just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
pull someone's leg,
to make fun of someone; tease.
to deceive someone; trick someone: She thought someone was pulling her leg when she got the call from the Nobel Committee.
shake a leg, Informal.
to hurry up: If you don't shake a leg, we'll miss the opening number.
Older Use. to dance: The dance floor was flooded with couples shaking a leg to the loud and lively music.
stretch one's legs, to take a walk; get some needed exercise after prolonged sitting: He got up during the intermission to stretch his legs.
Origin of leg
1Other words from leg
- legless, adjective
- leglike, adjective
Words Nearby leg
Other definitions for leg. (2 of 2)
legal.
legate.
legato.
legend.
legislation.
legislative.
legislature.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use leg in a sentence
Most weighted blanket experts suggest you ease into use during sleep, starting with covering your legs for a few nights, then your midsection, until you finally reach your shoulders.
Best weighted blanket: Sleep like a baby with our comfy bedding picks | PopSci Commerce Team | February 12, 2021 | Popular-ScienceYou may want the ability to spread out and fully extend your legs, or sit with one foot up.
A surfing accident had left the man unable to use his arms or legs.
New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready? | Laura Sanders | February 11, 2021 | Science News For StudentsWillie dipped Renee and she kicked up her leg, surprising them both and making them laugh.
Date Lab: One of our setups is still going strong two years later. We caught up with Willie and Renee for an update. | Marin Cogan | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostIf such a mutation gave a person extra hips and an extra pair of legs, over time their spine might lengthen to separate the legs.
I did a ten minute scene in his class: the guy who had gangrene in his leg in The Snows of Kilimanjaro.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTImagine waking up to find a guy who looks like a tech startup employee eating your charred crispy leg.
The Red Viper, Zoe Barnes, and the Best Fictional Deaths of 2014 | Melissa Leon | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWith every stroke, her leather boot creaked under the weight of her leg.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau | Ian Frisch | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI push down on the pedal with my right leg and instead of propelling myself forward, I topple over sideways.
As my injured leg improves, my left leg starts aching, then throbbing, near my hip.
His face flushed with annoyance, and taking off his soft hat he began to beat it impatiently against his leg as he walked.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinHe usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneWere he a young man, they could save him by cutting off his leg high up, but as it is he would not stand the shock.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonHis left arm was behind his back, the hand clenched, the right leg perfectly straight.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsA second shot, however, broke his leg, and the stately animal rolled over.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for leg (1 of 2)
/ (lɛɡ) /
either of the two lower limbs, including the bones and fleshy covering of the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella
(as modifier): leg guard; leg rest Related adjective: crural
any similar or analogous structure in animals that is used for locomotion or support
this part of an animal, esp the thigh, used for food: leg of lamb
something similar to a leg in appearance or function, such as one of the four supporting members of a chair
a branch, limb, or part of a forked or jointed object
the part of a garment that covers the leg
a section or part of a journey or course
a single stage, lap, length, etc, in a relay race
either one of two races on which a cumulative bet has been placed
either the opposite or adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
nautical
the distance travelled without tacking
(in yacht racing) the course between any two marks
one of a series of games, matches, or parts of games
cricket
the side of the field to the left of a right-handed batsman as he faces the bowler
(as modifier): a leg slip; leg stump
give someone a leg up
to help someone to climb an obstacle by pushing upwards
to help someone to advance
have legs informal to be successful or show the potential to succeed
not have a leg to stand on to have no reasonable or logical basis for an opinion or argument
on its last legs worn out; exhausted
pull someone's leg informal to tease, fool, or make fun of someone
shake a leg informal
to hurry up: usually used in the imperative
to dance
show a leg informal to get up in the morning
stretch one's legs See stretch (def. 17)
(tr) obsolete to propel (a canal boat) through a tunnel by lying on one's back and walking one's feet along the tunnel roof
leg it informal to walk, run, or hurry
Origin of leg
1Derived forms of leg
- leglike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for leg. (2 of 2)
legato
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with leg
In addition to the idiom beginning with leg
- leg up, a
also see:
- arm and a leg
- break a leg
- on one's last legs
- pull someone's leg
- shake a leg
- stretch one's legs
- tail between one's legs
- without a leg to stand on
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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