n. 1. An association of states, organizations, or individuals for common action; an alliance. 2. Sports An association of teams or clubs that compete chiefly among themselves. Also called loop1. 3. A class or level of competition: The ski jump was out of his league. v. leagued, leagu·ing, leagues v.intr. To come together in or as if in a league. v.tr. To bring together in or as if in a league. [Alteration (influenced by Italian lega) of Middle English liege, from Old French ligue, from Medieval Latin liga and from Old Italian lega, liga (from legare, to bind), both from Latin ligāre, to bind; see leig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.