dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdra-gən 

1

archaic : a huge serpent

2

: a mythical animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws

3

: a violent, combative, or very strict person

4

Dragon : draco

5

: something or someone formidable or baneful

dragonish

ˈdra-gə-nish 

adjective

Examples of dragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just beyond the entrance is a large mockup of a dragon, one of the mythical creatures that evokes mystery and magic. —Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025

Zoo Miami plans to take multiple Seaquarium reptiles, including a bearded dragon, a python and two black-and-white tegus. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

In that spirit, Viking had arranged for us to be greeted by a dragon dance—which several passengers joined—and performances of traditional Chinese theater and puppetry. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

Granier never slayed dragons, led armies into battles, blew up Death Stars. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French dragun, from Latin dracon-, draco serpent, dragon, from Greek drakōn serpent; akin to Old English torht bright, Greek derkesthai to see, look at

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dragon

• dragon fruit
• dragon lady
• dragon's blood
• dragon's teeth
• green dragon
• Komodo dragon

Rhymes for dragon

• agone
• lagan
• waggon
• wagon
• anlagen
• bandwagon
• snapdragon

Kids Definition

dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdrag-ən 

1

: an imaginary animal usually pictured as a huge serpent or lizard with wings and large claws

2

capitalized : draco

Etymology

Middle English dragon "dragon," from early French dragun (same meaning), from Latin dracon-, draco "serpent, dragon," from Greek drakōn "serpent" — related to rankle