league

league · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A group of sports teams that compete against each other.

  2. 2.

    An association of people or groups united for a common purpose.

  3. 3.

    A class or level of quality or excellence.

  4. 4.

    (Historical) A unit of distance, roughly three miles.

Forms

plural: leagues

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in league with — secretly cooperating with
  • •
    out of one's league — beyond one's ability or social level
  • •
    in the same league — at a similar level of quality or ability
  • •
    big league — at the highest level of competition

Related words

Antonyms: individual, rival
See also: alliance, association, federation
Synonyms: alliance, association, federation, union

Etymology

From Old French ligue ("alliance, league"), from Italian lega, from Latin ligare ("to bind"). The distance meaning comes from Late Latin leuga, of Gaulish origin.