: 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 alsocatamount, mountain lion, panther, puma
2
slang: a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man
in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for cougar
Word History
Etymology
French couguar, modification of New Latin cuguacuarana, from Tupi sɨwasuarána, from sɨwásu deer + -ran resembling
Share