league
pronunciation
How to pronounce league in British English:
UK [liːɡ]
How to pronounce league in American English:
US [liːɡ]
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- Noun:
- an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
- an association of states or organizations or individuals for common action
- an obsolete unit of distance of variable length (usually 3 miles)
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- Verb:
- unite to form a league
Word Origin
- league (n.1)
- "alliance," mid-15c., ligg, from Middle French ligue "confederacy, league" (15c.), from Italian lega, from legare "to tie, to bind," from Latin ligare "to bind" (see ligament). Originally among nations, subsequently extended to political associations (1846) and sports associations (1879). League of Nations first attested 1917 (created 1919).
- league (n.2)
- distance of about three miles, late 14c., ultimately from Late Latin leuga (source also of French lieue, Spanish legua, Italian lega), said by Roman writers to be from Gaulish. A vague measure (perhaps originally an hour's hike) never in official use in England, where it is recorded more often in poetic than in practical writing.
- league (v.)
- "to form a league," 1610s, from league (n.1). Related: Leagued; leaguing.
Synonym
Example
- 1. The northern league stresses lombardy 's supposedly celtic heritage .
- 2. But would the spanish league allow it to stay ?
- 3. Ivy league envy leads to an obsession with research .
- 4. The local schools formed a football league .
- 5. So as prime minister would he move britain up the competitiveness league tables ?