legion

Everyday

1. A legion was a large army unit in ancient Rome, of about 5,000 soldiers. tree →
2. A legion is a very large number of people or things («a legion of fans»). tree →
3. (formal) «Legion» as an adjective means very many: «Her fans are legion.» tree →
4. Some modern armed groups are called a legion, such as the French Foreign Legion, or veterans' clubs like the Royal British Legion. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on the Romans, legions marched across Europe and built Hadrian's Wall in Britain. In the UK the Royal British Legion runs the poppy appeal for Remembrance Day. In the Bible, «My name is Legion, for we are many» comes from a story in the Gospels. Everyday: «legions of» = loads of.

Examples

• A Roman legion had thousands of soldiers. tree →
• The legions built roads across Britain. tree →
• Legions of fans waited outside the stadium. tree →
• The Royal British Legion sells poppies in November. tree →
• Her mistakes were legion! tree →
• Each legion had its own eagle standard. tree →
• Legions of ants marched into the kitchen. tree →
• Their number continued to increase more and more; and by the time Gerda had finished her prayers, a whole legion stood round her. tree →

Note

Countable: legions. The adjective use «are legion» is formal and goes after the verb. Pronounced «LEE-jun».