Illustration of cougar
- cougar 1
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
Synonyms
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
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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
Articles Related to cougar
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.
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Kids Definition
cougar
noun
cou·gar
ˈkü-gər 
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
Nglish: Translation of cougar for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cougar for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cougar
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