cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər How to pronounce cougar (audio)
 also  -ˌgär
plural cougars also cougar
1
: a large powerful tawny-brown cat (Puma concolor synonym Felis concolor) formerly widespread in the Americas but now reduced in number or extinct in many areas

called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma

2
slang : a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man

Illustration of cougar

Illustration of cougar
  • cougar 1

Examples of cougar in a Sentence

in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar
Recent Examples on the Web In December 2022, just a few months after the National Wildlife Federation and California’s transportation department broke ground on the bridge, the cougar died. Martha Shade, CNN, 8 Oct. 2023 According to the Nebraska Examiner, the sub-adult cougar weighed 103 pounds. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 28 Sep. 2023 Their school had acquired a cougar mascot outfit and announced a contest to name the cougar, with a prize of twenty-five dollars, plus a chance to wear the costume. Emma Allen, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023 In the wild Pumas — also known as the cougar, mountain lion, panther and catamount — are found in 28 countries across the Americas from Alaska to Chile, according to Panthera. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023 There have been rare sightings of bears, cougars and wolves. Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2023 But an unexpected visitor graced Haystack Rock over the weekend: a cougar. Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2023 The cougar will be euthanized and removed from the park for a necropsy if it's located. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 30 July 2023 The new zoo exhibit, called Cougar Crossing, will include Bob, the zoo’s current bobcat, in addition to a new cougar. Joseph D. Bryant | Jbryant@al.com, al, 21 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cougar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French couguar, modification of New Latin cuguacuarana, from Tupi sɨwasuarána, from sɨwásu deer + -ran resembling

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cougar was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near cougar

Cite this Entry

“Cougar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cougar. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

cougar

noun
cou·​gar ˈkü-gər How to pronounce cougar (audio)
 also  -ˌgär
plural cougars also cougar
: a large powerful brownish yellow cat formerly widespread in the Americas but no longer found in many areas

called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma

More from Merriam-Webster on cougar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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