Word
legion
Phoneticsle·gion, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫidʒən/
UK/lˈiːdʒən/
Definitions
01Ancient Roman army unit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. a large group of soldiers in the army of Ancient Rome.
n. the principal unit of the Roman army, typically consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 infantry and a small cavalry component.
“The Roman legion marched across the bridge to reach the city.”
“Historians estimate that a single Roman legion at full strength could maintain control over a vast territory through disciplined engineering and logistics.”
02a large number
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a very large number of people or things.
n. a vast multitude or a great number of people or things.
“A legion of fans waited outside the stadium to see the singer.”
“The author faced a legion of critics who disagreed with his interpretation of the historical data.”
03veterans' association
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a national organization for people who used to be in the military.
n. a national association of former military personnel, often involved in advocacy and social support.
“My grandfather goes to the local legion every Friday to meet his old friends.”
“The Royal British Legion provides essential financial and emotional support to veterans and their families across the United Kingdom.”
Synonyms
04very numerous
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. used to say that there are a very great number of something.
adj. existing in great numbers; numerous or vast.
“The problems with the new software are legion.”
“While the benefits of the new policy are clear, the potential administrative hurdles are legion and require careful planning.”
Usage
Always used after the noun it describes, following the verb 'to be'.
Real-World Examples
“It became a cult classic, inspiring a legion of copycats.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legion of fans, and everyone who loved her.” Etymology
Attested (in Middle English, as legioun) around 1200, from Old French legion, from Latin legiō, legionem, from legō (“to gather, collect”); akin to legend, lecture. Doublet of León, which was borrowed from Spanish. Generalized sense of “a large number” is due to an allusive phrase in Mark 5:9, "My name is Legion, for we are many".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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