lion

noun

li·​on ˈlī-ən 

plural lions

1

a

or plural lion : a large heavily built social cat (Panthera leo) of open or rocky areas chiefly of sub-Saharan Africa though once widely distributed throughout Africa and southern Asia that has a tawny body with a tufted tail and a shaggy blackish or dark brown mane in the male

b

: any of several large wildcats

especially : cougar sense 1

c

capitalized : leo

2

a

: a person felt to resemble a lion (as in courage or ferocity)

b

: a person of outstanding interest or importance

a literary lion

3

capitalized [Lions (club)] : a member of a major national and international service club

lionlike

ˈlī-ən-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• baron
• captain
• czar
• tsar
• tzar
• king
• lord
• magnate
• mogul
• monarch
• Napoleon
• prince
• tycoon

Examples of lion in a Sentence

the roar of the lion

He was a literary lion among the writers of his time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tom Hanks narrating a bunch of penguins getting pummeled by surf before narrowly escaping death by sea lion played in that room. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024

Fiercely protective of their young, this Fire sign resembles their lion archetype not just in their regal demeanor but also in their parenting. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French leun, lion, from Latin leon-, leo, from Greek leōn

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lion

• ant lion
• aphid lion
• California sea lion
• golden lion tamarin
• lion's den
• lion's share
• mountain lion
• sea lion

Kids Definition

lion

noun

li·​on ˈlī-ən 

plural lion or lions

: a large flesh-eating mammal of the cat family that has a brownish buff coat, a tufted tail, and in the male a shaggy mane and that lives in open or rocky areas of Africa and formerly southern Asia

lionlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective