noun

1. a compact or covenant made by nations, groups, or individuals for promoting common interests, assuring mutual protection, etc.
2. an association or alliance of individuals, groups, or nations formed by such a covenant
3. Sports a group of teams organized to compete against one another
4. ☆ Informal a division according to grade or quality; class

Etymology: ME ligg < OFr ligue < It liga < legare, to bind < L ligare: see ligature

transitive verb, intransitive verb leagued, leaguing leagu′·ing