A legion is a large group of soldiers who form one section of an army.
He joined the French Foreign Legion.
The last of the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410.
Synonyms: army, company, force, division More Synonyms of legion
2. countable noun
A legionof people or things is a great number of them.
[written]
His delightful sense of humour won him a legion of friends. [+ of]
...a legion of stories about noisy neighbours.
Synonyms: multitude, host, mass, drove More Synonyms of legion
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that things of a particular kind are legion, you mean that there are a great number of them.
[formal]
Ellie's problems are legion.
The number of women who become pregnant after adopting children is legion.
Synonyms: very many, numerous, countless, myriad More Synonyms of legion
legion in British English
(ˈliːdʒən)
noun
1.
a military unit of the ancient Roman army made up of infantry with supporting cavalry, numbering some three to six thousand men
2.
any large military force
the French Foreign Legion
3. (usually capital)
an association of ex-servicemen
the British Legion
4. (often plural)
any very large number, esp of people
adjective
5. (usually postpositive)
very large or numerous
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Latin legio, from legere to choose
legion in American English
(ˈlidʒən)
noun
1. Roman
a military division varying at times from 3,000 to 6,000 foot soldiers, with additional cavalrymen
2.
a large group of soldiers; army
3.
a large number; multitude
a legion of admirers
4. [L-]
American Legion, Foreign Legion, etc.
adjective
5.
numerous; many
used in the predicate
her honors were legion
Word origin
OFr < L legio < legere, to choose: see logic
Examples of 'legion' in a sentence
legion
But now he has joined the foreign legion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no question that it would be an easy sell to the foreign legion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her legion of fans won't be disappointed, and she may well win many new ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The books are simply brilliant and are sure to win over legions of new fans for the Famous Five.
The Sun (2016)
The Potters foreign legion simply cannot get their heads round a festive fixture list that sees them in action three times in eight days over the holidays.
The Sun (2016)
This new legion of armed women has forced designers to pay attention.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Few of the new legions on the red leather benches have independent means.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But she has won over a new legion of fans.
The Sun (2014)
Now he seems content performing populist party tricks rather than stretching and reinventing the form like the legions of imitators he has spawned.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is one French foreign legion that is not up for the fight.
The Sun (2013)
Despite legions of fans, the surreal tales slipped into relative obscurity.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I would urge anyone to join us legions of cyclists.
The Sun (2011)
An appetite to rip off an entire legion of people, from the players to the coaches to the secretaries to the kit men.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Her legion of female fans turn to her when they need some TLC.
The Sun (2010)
And there are JUST enough tunes to keep the legions of fans happy.
The Sun (2008)
Our numbers are legion and we're a large minority in American culture.
Christianity Today (2000)
And he also reckons the Vicarage Road foreign legion would be willing to stay.
The Sun (2013)
The big question now is whether Button and his legions of British fans need to worry.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That, no doubt, would upset a legion of people nowadays.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Meanwhile, there are legions of young people not in education, employment or training.
The Sun (2008)
So for its legions of fans, including me, it is a sad day.
The Sun (2016)
His legions of fans across the world take comfort from the fact that he didn't suffer much and had lived a long and happy life.
The Sun (2011)
If you are wearing a poppy it should show that you have given a donation to the British Legion.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Maybe British Legion and buy one.
The Sun (2007)
Running became possible in December and I joined the legions who suffer on the weekly long run.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
legion
British English: legion NOUN
A legion is a large group of soldiers who form one section of an army.
American English: legion
Brazilian Portuguese: legião
Chinese: 军团
European Spanish: legión
French: légion
German: Legion
Italian: legione
Japanese: 軍団
Korean: 군단
European Portuguese: legião
Latin American Spanish: legión
All related terms of 'legion'
American Legion
an association of former member of the US armed forces
British Legion
an organization founded in 1921 to provide services and assistance for former members of the armed forces
foreign legion
a body of foreign volunteers serving in an army , esp that of France
Légion d'honneur
→ the Légion d'honneur
Legion of Honor
a French honorary society founded in 1802 by Napoleon for recognition of distinguished military or civil service
Legion of Honour
an order for civil or military merit instituted by Napoleon in France in 1802
Legion of Merit
a U.S. decoration awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. or of foreign nations for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services
French Foreign Legion
a unit of the French Army formerly serving esp in French North African colonies . It is largely recruited from foreigners , with French senior officers
Royal British Legion
an organization founded in 1921 to provide services and assistance for former members of the armed forces
the Légion d'honneur
an order for civil or military merit instituted by Napoleon in France in 1802
1 (noun)
Definition
any large military force
The last of the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410.
Synonyms
army
data collected by an army of volunteers
company
The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company.
force
a pan-European peace-keeping force
division
troop
the deployment of more than 35,000 troops from a dozen countries
brigade
the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade
2 (noun)
Definition
any very large number
His sense of humour won him a legion of friends.
Synonyms
multitude
Addiction to drugs can bring a multitude of other problems.
host
A host of stars attended the awards ceremony.
mass
A mass of excited people clogged the street.
drove
Scientists are leaving the country in droves.
number
People turned out to vote in huge numbers.
horde
A horde of people was screaming for tickets.
myriad
They face a myriad of problems bringing up children.
throng
An official pushed through the throng.
(adjective)
Books on this subject are legion.
Synonyms
very many
numerous
Such crimes were just as numerous then as they are today.
She made numerous attempts, but could never beat the world record.
countless
She brought joy to countless people through her music.
myriad
pop culture in all its myriad forms
numberless
numberless acts of bravery by firefighters and rescue workers
multitudinous
She is a person of multitudinous talents.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brigade
Definition
a military formation smaller than a division and usually commanded by a brigadier
the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade
Synonyms
corps,
company,
force,
unit,
division,
troop,
squad,
crew,
team,
outfit (informal),
regiment,
contingent,
squadron,
detachment
in the sense of company
Definition
a small unit of troops
The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company.
Synonyms
troop,
unit,
squad,
team
in the sense of countless
Definition
too many to count
She brought joy to countless people through her music.
Synonyms
innumerable,
legion,
infinite,
myriad,
untold,
limitless,
incalculable,
immeasurable,
numberless,
uncounted,
multitudinous,
endless,
measureless
Nearby words of
legion
legerdemain
legibility
legible
legion
legislate
legislation
legislative
Synonyms of 'legion'
legion
Explore 'legion' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of drove
Definition
a moving crowd of people
Scientists are leaving the country in droves.
Synonyms
herd,
company,
crowds,
collection,
gathering,
mob,
flocks,
swarm,
horde,
multitude,
throng
in the sense of force
Definition
a group of people organized for particular duties or tasks
a pan-European peace-keeping force
Synonyms
army,
unit,
division,
corps,
company,
body,
host,
troop,
squad,
patrol,
regiment,
battalion,
legion,
squadron,
detachment
in the sense of horde
Definition
a very large crowd, often frightening or unpleasant
A horde of people was screaming for tickets.
Synonyms
crowd,
mob,
swarm,
press,
host,
band,
troop,
pack,
crew (informal),
drove,
gang,
multitude,
throng
in the sense of host
Definition
a great number
A host of stars attended the awards ceremony.
Synonyms
crowd,
army,
pack,
drove,
mob,
herd,
legion,
swarm,
horde,
throng
in the sense of mass
Definition
a large amount or number, as of people
A mass of excited people clogged the street.
Synonyms
crowd,
group,
body,
pack,
lot,
army,
host,
band,
troop,
drove,
crush,
bunch (informal),
mob,
flock,
herd,
number,
horde,
multitude,
throng,
rabble,
assemblage
in the sense of multitudinous
She is a person of multitudinous talents.
Synonyms
numerous,
many,
considerable,
countless,
legion,
infinite,
abounding,
abundant,
myriad,
teeming,
innumerable,
copious,
manifold (formal),
profuse
in the sense of myriad
Definition
a large indefinite number
They face a myriad of problems bringing up children.
Synonyms
multitude,
millions,
scores,
host,
thousands,
army,
sea,
mountain,
flood,
a million,
a thousand,
swarm,
horde
in the sense of myriad
Definition
innumerable
pop culture in all its myriad forms
Synonyms
innumerable,
countless,
untold,
incalculable,
immeasurable,
a thousand and one,
multitudinous
in the sense of number
People turned out to vote in huge numbers.
Synonyms
crowd,
horde,
multitude,
throng
in the sense of numberless
Definition
too many to be counted
numberless acts of bravery by firefighters and rescue workers
Synonyms
infinite,
endless,
countless,
myriad,
innumerable,
untold,
unnumbered,
multitudinous
Additional synonyms
in the sense of numerous
Definition
consisting of a large number of people or things
Such crimes were just as numerous then as they are today.She made numerous attempts, but could never beat the world record.
Synonyms
many,
several,
countless,
lots,
abundant,
plentiful,
innumerable,
copious,
manifold (formal),
umpteen (informal),
profuse,
thick on the ground
in the sense of throng
Definition
a great number of people or things crowded together
An official pushed through the throng.
Synonyms
crowd,
mob,
horde,
press,
host,
pack,
mass,
crush,
jam,
congregation,
swarm,
multitude,
concourse,
assemblage
in the sense of troop
Definition
soldiers
the deployment of more than 35,000 troops from a dozen countries