foreleg

noun

fore·​leg ˈfȯr-ˌleg How to pronounce foreleg (audio)
-ˌlāg
Synonyms of forelegnext
: a front leg

Examples of foreleg in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That would put it harmlessly between the ram’s forelegs. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 6 Apr. 2022 So, my team wanted to find out if males have proportionally longer necks when accounting for their overall stature, comprised of their head, neck, and forelegs. — Douglas R. Cavener, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreleg was in the 15th century

Rhymes for foreleg

See All Rhymes for foreleg

Browse Nearby Words

foreleech
foreleg
forelimb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foreleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreleg. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

foreleg

noun
fore·​leg ˈfōr-ˌleg How to pronounce foreleg (audio)
ˈfȯr-
: a front leg

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on foreleg

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for foreleg

Nglish: Translation of foreleg for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All