legend
LEJ-und
/ˈlɛdʒənd/
An explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart.
While it also means a famous story, in cartography it is the 'key' that unlocks the map's meaning.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'legere' (to read). It originally meant 'things to be read,' referring to the lives of saints, but eventually came to mean the text on a map that must be read to understand it.
Word relationships
- key: Key and legend are often used interchangeably, though 'key' is more common in general contexts.
Commonly confused with
- caption: A caption describes a specific image; a legend explains the symbols used throughout the entire map.
Collocations
- map legend
- key and legend
- legend symbols
Example sentences
- "The legend of the map explained that the red lines were ancient roads." Exploration
- "Always check the legend to see what the different colors represent." Education
Memory hook
The 'Legend' tells the 'story' of what the symbols mean. Read the symbols.
When not to use
Do not use when you mean the title of the map; the legend is specifically for symbols.
Fun facts
- Early maps often had very elaborate legends with illustrations of sea monsters and mythical kings.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.