leg

[ leg ]

/ lɛg /

Save This Word!

Definition of leg

noun

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.

bride² (def. 1).

verb (used with object), legged, leg·ging.

to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.

Verb Phrases

leg up, to help (someone) to mount a horse.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English, from Old Norse leggr, akin to Greek láx, lágdēn “with the foot”

OTHER WORDS FROM leg

legless, adjectiveleglike, adjective

Words nearby leg

left ventricular opening, leftward, leftwards, left wing, lefty, leg, legacy, legal, legal age, legal aid, legal aid society

Other definitions for leg (2 of 2)

leg.

abbreviation

legal.

legate.

legato.

legend.

legislation.

legislative.

legislature.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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-Science
You may want the ability to spread out and fully extend your legs, or sit with one foot up.
Best desk chair for any home office|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
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 Students
Willie 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 Post

If such a mutation gave a person extra hips and an extra pair of legs, over time their spine might lengthen to separate the legs.
How do you build a centaur?|Bethany Brookshire|February 10, 2021|Science News For Students
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|DAILY BEAST
Imagine 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|DAILY BEAST
With 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|DAILY BEAST
I push down on the pedal with my right leg and instead of propelling myself forward, I topple over sideways.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As my injured leg improves, my left leg starts aching, then throbbing, near my hip.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Chopin
He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
Were 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 Hamilton
His left arm was behind his back, the hand clenched, the right leg perfectly straight.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
A 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)

leg

/ (lɛɡ) /

noun

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 foodleg 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)

verb legs, legging or legged

(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

Derived forms of leg

leglike, adjective

Word Origin for leg

C13: from Old Norse leggr, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for leg (2 of 2)

leg.

abbreviation for

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

Medical definitions for leg

leg

[ lĕg ]

One of the two lower limbs of the human body, especially the part between the knee and the foot.

A supporting part resembling a leg in shape or function.

Other Idioms and Phrases with leg

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