dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdra-gən 

1

archaic : a huge serpent

2

: a mythical animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws

3

: a violent, combative, or very strict person

4

capitalized : draco

5

: something or someone formidable or baneful

dragonish

ˈdra-gə-nish 

adjective

Examples of dragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What else: Riders can see Toothless the dragon as well as the neighboring Stardust Racers. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, intricate stave churches—carved with dragons and saints—rise like solemn guardians of tradition amid pine forests and mountain mist. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

One morning, DeMarco put on a record by the electronic composer Tim Story, whose ambient works, though elegant, would not be out of place in a fantasy series about dragons. —Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

The series balances magic and humor while taking a serious approach to emotional growth and political turmoil, as our heroes battle dragons and their inner demons. —Huntley Woods, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French dragun, from Latin dracon-, draco serpent, dragon, from Greek drakōn serpent; akin to Old English torht bright, Greek derkesthai to see, look at

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dragon

• dragon fruit
• dragon lady
• dragon's blood
• dragon's teeth
• green dragon
• Komodo dragon

Rhymes for dragon

• agone
• lagan
• waggon
• wagon
• anlagen
• bandwagon
• snapdragon

Kids Definition

dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdrag-ən 

1

: an imaginary animal usually pictured as a huge serpent or lizard with wings and large claws

2

capitalized : draco

Etymology

Middle English dragon "dragon," from early French dragun (same meaning), from Latin dracon-, draco "serpent, dragon," from Greek drakōn "serpent" — related to rankle