cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər 

 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

• cougar 1

Synonyms

• panther

Examples of cougar in a Sentence

in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s more than can be said for black bears and cougars. —Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025

Sure, the murders happened directly in front of the three cougars. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025

Anyone wanting to bag a cougar in the state of Oklahoma would pay to be entered into a raffle or lottery controlled by the state Department of Wildlife Conservation for the chance to win one of the permits. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2025

The owner didn’t give the cougar another chance to attack. —Mitchell Willetts, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025

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

Rhymes for cougar

• huger
• luger

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