griffin

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

gryphon

2 of 2

noun (2)

gryph·​on

variant spelling of griffin

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

Examples of griffin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

On a blind date, his descriptions of magical griffins and burning deserts sound humiliatingly immature. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Noun

The Cotton Exchange has fanciful touches on the exterior, including faux columns and balustrades, and a fountain at the front of the building, dominated by a gryphon, a mythic creature that is part lion, part eagle. — Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Mark Witton The gryphon, or griffin, is a legendary creature dating back to classical antiquity, sporting the body, legs, and tail of a lion and the wings, head, and front talons of an eagle. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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