griffin

noun

grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

variants or griffon or less commonly gryphon

: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Illustration of griffin

Examples of griffin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mythical creatures — griffins and sphinxes — cover the back. — Ryan Brennan april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Mythical creatures — griffins and sphinxes — adorn the back, motifs that speak to the cultural exchanges flowing through the region. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Its pediments crowned with griffins – mythological creatures that are part lion and part eagle – have looked out across the parkway like silent sentinels of culture. — Sheri Lambert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2025

Acheloo, the oldest and most powerful water spirit in ancient Greece; and two griffins, creatures that sport the head of an eagle head and the body of a lion. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English griffon, from Anglo-French grif, griffun, from Latin gryphus, from Greek gryp-, gryps

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for griffin

• griffon
• gryphon
• stiffen
• tiffin

Kids Definition

griffin

noun

grif·​fin

variants or griffon also gryphon

ˈgrif-ən

: an imaginary animal that is half eagle and half lion

Geographical Definition

Griffin

geographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

city south-southeast of Atlanta in west central Georgia population 23,643

Biographical Definition

Griffin

biographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

Walter Burley 1876–1937 American architect