variants
or less commonly leggin
ˈle-gən 
also ˈlā-
plural leggings also leggins
1
a
: pants that are made of a material that stretches to fit tightly around the legs
—usually used in plural
Lycra-cotton leggings and tunic tops are the pregnant woman's best friend, sartorially speaking.—
Anne Reeks
Anne Reeks
b
: tights
—usually used in plural
Something about the name "footed leggings" just makes these sound way warmer than your basic tights.—Melanie Richtman
Melanie Richtman2
a
: a covering (as of leather or cloth) for the legs worn over pants for protection
—usually used in plural
Welding leggings protect the lower leg (from the knee down) from sparks and spatter. Leather is naturally abrasion and flame resistant for use in applications with heavy sparks and spatter.—Grainger.com
Grainger.com
b
: a pair of separate coverings (as of leather or cloth) for the legs
—usually used in plural
… "leggings [worn by Plains Indians men] reached from the ankle to the thigh and were held in place by tying thongs, attached to their tops, to the belt. …"—Norman Feder, quoted in Dress Clothing of the Plains Indians
Norman Feder, quoted in Dress Clothing of the Plains IndiansExamples of legging in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Felina Velvety Super Soft Lightweight Leggings These are the leggings that started it all.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
The timeless silhouette can elevate every outfit, from a leggings-and-long sweater combo to a midi skirt and trench coat.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
Joshua Applegate/WireImage via Getty Images The medical examiner's office said that when the remains were discovered, the victim was wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings and a yellow bracelet.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Wear it to the office with chunky gold earrings and ballet flats, or throw it on with leggings for casual errands—for less than $20, this staple pays itself off fast.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legging
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Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
The timeless silhouette can elevate every outfit, from a leggings-and-long sweater combo to a midi skirt and trench coat.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
Joshua Applegate/WireImage via Getty Images The medical examiner's office said that when the remains were discovered, the victim was wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings and a yellow bracelet.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Wear it to the office with chunky gold earrings and ballet flats, or throw it on with leggings for casual errands—for less than $20, this staple pays itself off fast.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legging
Cite this Entry
“Legging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legging. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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