league

¹

[ leeg ]

noun

1. a covenant or compact made between persons, parties, states, etc., for the promotion or maintenance of common interests or for mutual assistance or service.
2. the aggregation of persons, parties, states, etc., associated in such a covenant or compact; confederacy.

   Synonyms: coalition, combination

3. an association of individuals having a common goal.
4. Sports. a group of athletic teams organized to promote mutual interests and to compete chiefly among themselves: a tri-county community softball league.

   a bowling league for ages 12–18;

   a tri-county community softball league.

5. Sports.
   1. a major league:

      He played in both leagues, with four different teams, but he’ll always be remembered most as a Cincinnati Red.

   2. a minor league:

      During her tenure as general manager of the league in Florida, eight of her players were promoted to the majors.

6. group; class; category:

   As a pianist he just simply isn't in your league.

verb (used with or without object)

, leagued, lea·guing.

1. to unite in a league; combine. People are judged, fairly or not, by the company that they keep, and the people they league themselves with.

   Some unlikely political bedfellows leagued together to get the bill passed.

   People are judged, fairly or not, by the company that they keep, and the people they league themselves with.

league

²

[ leeg ]

noun

1. a unit of distance, varying at different periods and in different countries: in English-speaking countries usually estimated roughly at 3 miles (4.8 kilometers).
2. a square league, as a unit of land measure, estimated roughly at 4,428 acres (1,791.9 hectares).

league

¹

/ liːɡ /

noun

1. an obsolete unit of distance of varying length. It is commonly equal to 3 miles

league

²

/ liːɡ /

noun

1. an association or union of persons, nations, etc, formed to promote the interests of its members
2. an association of sporting clubs that organizes matches between member teams of a similar standard
3. a class, category, or level

   he is not in the same league

4. in league
   working or planning together (with)
5. modifier of, involving, or belonging to a league

   a league table

   a league game

verb

1. to form or be formed into a league

Word History and Origins

Origin of league¹

First recorded in 1425–75; from French ligue, from Italian liga, lega, from legare, from Latin ligāre “to tie, bind”

Origin of league²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lege, leghe, leuge, from Old French legue, from Late Latin leuga, leuca, a Gaulish unit of distance equal to 1.5 Roman miles, apparently from Gaulish; (compare Breton leó, leu, lev “league”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of league¹

C14 leuge, from Late Latin leuga, leuca, of Celtic origin

Origin of league²

C15: from Old French ligue, from Italian liga, ultimately from Latin ligāre to bind

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in league, working together, often secretly or for a harmful purpose; united:

   By putting yourself in league with corrupt and ruthless leaders, you will end up paying in the long run.

More idioms and phrases containing league

see big league ; in league with ; in the same league .

Synonym Study

See alliance.

Example Sentences

Then he rushed for 120 and 125 yards in his first two games after the surgery, proving his claim that when he’s healthy, he’s one of the league’s best running backs.

From Los Angeles Times

For 22 seasons, James has been on the court while those letters were shouted at him, the league’s all-time leading scorer, one of its greatest players earning the adoration in buildings all over the league.

From Los Angeles Times

For goalkeeper Scurry, the introduction of the first women's football league was a direct impact of the so-called 99ers' success.

From BBC

Paisley won six league titles, three European Cups, three League Cups and the Uefa Cup in nine years as Liverpool manager.

From BBC

The Sparks, who had the worst record in the league last season, land second overall pick despite 44.2% chance to win the draft lottery.

From Los Angeles Times