panther

noun

pan·​ther ˈpan(t)-thər 

plural panthers also panther

1

: leopard: such as

a

: a leopard of a hypothetical exceptionally large fierce variety

b

: a leopard of the black color phase

2

: cougar sense 1 compare florida panther

3

: jaguar

Synonyms

• cougar
• puma

Examples of panther in a Sentence

the panther is surprisingly difficult to spot

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s no better name for a Fort Worth barbecue joint, either, for like that apocryphal panther, the city’s once-sleepy barbecue scene has awakened and begun to roar. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025

The Living Room on the hotel’s second floor features two bars, one on either end of the room, backed by gold, black, and white art deco scenes that depict famous New York City buildings and animals like a panther, a leopard, and a horse. —Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025

Biologists have been following the 11-year-old panther, known as K408, since she was born in 2014, records from the Panther Pulse database show. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

Likewise in still versions of the campaign, headed for billboards and print media, diptychs show the panther in poses that echo the shape of magnified letters. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pantere, from Anglo-French panthere, from Latin panthera, from Greek panthēr

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing panther

• Florida panther

Rhymes for panther

• anther

Kids Definition

panther

noun

pan·​ther ˈpan(t)-thər 

plural panthers also panther

1

: leopard

especially : one that is black

2

: cougar

3

: jaguar