league
leeg
League (noun) means a group of sports teams, or of countries or organizations, that compete together or work toward a shared goal. Example: “Their team finished second in the league this season.”
noun
1
A group of sports teams, or of countries or organizations, that compete together or work toward a shared goal.
"Their team finished second in the league this season."
"The two nations formed a league to promote free trade."
"My brother plays for a village team in the local league on Sundays."
2
An old unit of distance, roughly three miles, based on how far a person could walk in an hour.
"The old map marked the distance in leagues, not miles."
"In the old sailing story, the ship travelled hundreds of leagues across the open sea."
"The traveller wrote that the village lay three leagues beyond the hills."
verb
1
To join together with others for a common purpose.
"The smaller shops leagued together to negotiate better prices."
"The farmers leagued together to protect the river from being polluted."
"Neighbours leagued against the plan and gathered signatures to stop the building."
How to use league
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of teams or allies working or competing together, or (in old usage) a measure of distance.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the phrase "in a league of their own" (meaning far better than others) with simply being a member of a league.
Common pairings
premier league
out of my league
league table
join a league
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Word forms
- Plural
- leagues
- Third person singular
- leagues
- Past tense
- leagued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their team finished second in the _____ this season.
Etymology
From Old French ligue, ultimately from Latin ligare, "to tie" or "to bind" — the same root as "ligament."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
non-league
Related words
Rhymes for league
See all rhymes for league →Frequently asked questions
What does “league” mean?
The word “league” means a group of sports teams, or of countries or organizations, that compete together or work toward a shared goal. In plain terms, a group of teams or allies working or competing together, or (in old usage) a measure of distance.
How do you pronounce “league”?
“League” is pronounced leeg (/liːɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “league” in a sentence?
Here is “league” used in a sentence: “Their team finished second in the league this season.”
What is the opposite of “league”?
The opposite of “league” — its antonyms — is non-league.
What part of speech is “league”?
Depending on how it is used, “league” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “league” come from?
The word “league” comes from Latin. From Old French ligue, ultimately from Latin ligare, "to tie" or "to bind" — the same root as "ligament.".
Is “league” a common word?
“League” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “league” have?
“League” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of sports teams, or of countries or organizations, that compete together or work toward a shared goal.
What is the difference between a league and a tournament?
A league runs over a whole season, with teams playing each other repeatedly and earning points to build a standings table. A tournament is usually shorter and often knockout-based, where losing can mean elimination. In brief, a league rewards consistency across many matches, while a tournament crowns a winner quickly.
How does a sports league work?
In a typical league, a fixed group of teams plays a schedule of matches across a season, earning points for wins and draws. These points determine their position in a table. The team on top is usually champion, and some leagues promote or relegate teams between divisions based on where they finish.
What are the different meanings of league?
Most often a league is an organised group of teams or nations working together or competing, such as a football league or the League of Nations. Separately, and now old-fashioned, a league is a unit of distance of roughly three miles, familiar from the title 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.'
What does 'out of your league' mean?
This common idiom means someone or something is beyond your level, usually in dating or ability. Saying a person is 'out of your league' suggests they seem too attractive, talented, or successful for you to match. It borrows from sports, where stronger teams play in a higher league than weaker ones.
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