First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1leg
noun \ˈleg also ˈlāg\
: one of the long body parts that are used especially for standing, walking, and running
: an animal's leg when it is used as food
: any one of the long thin parts that support a table, chair, etc.
Full Definition of LEG
1
: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: as a (1) : one of the paired vertebrate limbs that in bipeds extend from the top of the thigh to the foot (2) : the part of such a limb between the knee and foot b : the back half of a hindquarter of a meat animal c : one of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling
2
a : a pole or bar serving as a support or prop <the legs of a tripod> b : a branch of a forked or jointed object <the legs of a compass>
3
a : the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg b : the part of the upper (as of a boot) that extends above the ankle
5
: a side of a right triangle that is not the hypotenuse; also : a side of an isosceles triangle that is not the base
6
a : the course and distance sailed by a boat on a single tack b : a portion of a trip : stage c : one section of a relay race d : one of several events or games necessary to be won to decide a competition <won the first two legs of horse racing's Triple Crown>
7
: a branch or part of an object or system
8
plural : long-term appeal or interest <a news story with legs>
— leg·less \-ləs\ adjective
— a leg to stand on
: support; especially : a basis for one's position in a controversy
— on one's last legs
: at or near the end of one's resources : on the verge of failure, exhaustion, or ruin
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Origin of LEG
Middle English, from Old Norse leggr
Related to LEG
- Synonyms
- pin
2leg
verb
leggedleg·ging
Definition of LEG
intransitive verb
: to use the legs in walking; especially : run
See leg defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LEG
1601
3leg
abbreviation
Definition of LEG
1
legal
2
legato
3
legislative; legislature
LEG Defined for Kids
leg
noun \ˈleg\
Definition of LEG for Kids
1
: one of the limbs of an animal or person that support the body and are used in walking and running
2
: the part of the leg between the knee and the foot
3
: something like a leg in shape or use <the legs of a table>
4
: the part of a garment that covers the leg
5
: a stage or part of a journey <We started the first leg of our trip.>
Medical Dictionary
leg
noun \ˈleg, ˈlāg\
Medical Definition of LEG
: a limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: as a : either of the two lower human limbs that extend from the top of the thigh to the foot and especially the part between the knee and the ankle b : any of the rather generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used in walking and crawling
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