Definition
A landing gear leg is the structural strut that connects a single wheel assembly to the airframe and supports the airplane's weight on the ground. Each leg absorbs landing loads, transmits braking and steering forces, and on most light airplanes is fitted with a shock-absorbing element such as a spring steel rod, an oleo strut, or a bungee.
Plain English
It's the leg-like piece that holds one of the airplane's wheels and connects it up to the airplane itself. It carries the weight of the plane on the ground and softens the bumps when you land.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of landing, the after-landing roll, taxiing, and preflight inspection of the landing gear.
Derivation
“Leg” is used here in the same basic sense as a support that holds something up. In aviation, the word points to one supporting part of the landing gear, not the whole landing gear system.
Why Pilots Care
Awareness of landing gear leg condition and position prevents collapse, shimmy, or retraction errors during rollout and taxi.
Intuition Check
Do not read “landing gear leg” as the whole landing gear. It means one individual supporting member of the landing gear.
Example Sentence 1
In a strong crosswind landing, the upwind landing gear leg touches down first and carries most of the airplane's weight for a moment.
Example Sentence 2
During the after-landing roll the crew visually checks that all landing gear legs remain extended and stable.