leg

[ leg ]

/ lɛg /

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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.

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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

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. 2023

How to use leg in a sentence

Sprawled on chaise lounges with their knees high in the air and their legs spread wide.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Wrapees was the term marines used for the Japanese because they had wrapping round their legs.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As I forced my exhausted body to exercise, I yelled at my legs like a drill sergeant, demanding five more minutes or one more set.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Legs McNeil, of Punk magazine fame, once called him “cute” and “charming.”
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Kim Novak's heavy legs were concealed and all logic left on the cutting room floor.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The boys were tumbling about, clinging to his legs, imploring that numerous things be brought back to them.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
His strong legs and his broad, spade-like feet helped to make him a fine swimmer.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
All please noteHis wondrous height and girth; He has the longest legs and throatOf anything on earth.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
It stood on a sandy road, and a cold wind tickled his knickerbockered legs.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Isaac Bolum had fixed himself comfortably on two legs of his chair, with the projecting soles of his boots caught behind the rung.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

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

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