legionary

[ lee-juh-ner-ee ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to a legion.
2. constituting a legion or legions.

noun

, plural le·gion·ar·ies.

1. History/Historical. a soldier of a Roman legion.
2. a member of the British Legion.
3. legionnaire ( def 2 ).

legionary

/ ˈliːdʒənərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a legion

noun

1. a soldier belonging to a legion

Word History and Origins

Origin of legionary¹

From the Latin word legiōnārius, dating back to 1570–80. See legion, -ary

Example Sentences

Nonetheless, one of the donors who paid to decorate the ancient house of worship was a centurion serving in the adjacent Roman legionary camp.

From Seattle Times

The drawing depicted a boat landing on shore with 1908 written on the side of it — the year the Rotterdam-based club was created — and with bloodied Roman legionaries cowering behind their shields.

From Seattle Times

At one point, another claimant approached a blue-eyed legionary in a lacrosse sweatshirt to ask what it would take to gain his support.

From New York Times

The teenage hero is among a few witnesses, including a Neanderthal cave man, a Roman legionary and the preteen daughter of a Princeton University professor, called before a tribunal representing three great galaxies.

From Washington Post

Sharko, who died in the 1980s, also said the legionaries surrounded homes, set them on fire and shot anyone found inside homes or in the streets, according to the Russian-language investigative file.

From Seattle Times