league Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
    conference.
  2. noun an association of states or organizations or individuals for common action
  3. noun an obsolete unit of distance of variable length (usually 3 miles)
  4. verb unite to form a league

WordNet

League noun
Etymology
Cf. OE. legue, lieue, a measure of length, F. lieue, Pr. lega, legua, It. & LL. lega, Sp. legua, Pg. legoa, legua; all fr. LL. leuca, of Celtic origin: cf. Arm. leo, lev (perh. from French), Ir.leige (perh. from English); also Ir. & Gael. leac a flag, a broad, flat stone, W. llech, -- such stones having perh. served as a sort of milestone (cf. Cromlech).
Definitions
  1. A measure of length or distance, varying in different countries from about 2.4 to 4.6 English statute miles of 5.280 feet each, and used (as a land measure) chiefly on the continent of Europe, and in the Spanish parts of America. The marine league of England and the United States is equal to three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each. ✍ The English land league is equal to three English statute miles. The Spanish and French leagues vary in each country according to usage and the kind of measurement to which they are applied. The Dutch and German leagues contain about four geographical miles, or about 4.6 English statute miles.
  2. A stone erected near a public road to mark the distance of a league. Obs.
League noun
Etymology
F.ligue, LL. liga, fr. L. ligare to bind; cf. Sp. liga. Cf. Ally a confederate, Ligature.
Definitions
  1. An alliance or combination of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the accomplishment of a purpose which requires a continued course of action, as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial, religious, or political interests, etc.
    And let there be 'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity. Denham.
    ✍ A league may be offensive or defensive, or both; offensive, when the parties agree to unite in attacking a common enemy; defensive, when they agree to a mutual defense of each other against an enemy. Syn. -- Alliance; confederacy; confederation; coalition; combination; compact; coöperation.
League intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. se liguer. See 2d League.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Leagued ; present participle & verbal noun Leaguing
Definitions
  1. To unite in a league or confederacy; to combine for mutual support; to confederate South.
League transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To join in a league; to cause to combine for a joint purpose; to combine; to unite; as, common interests will league heterogeneous elements.

Webster 1913