dragon

noun drag·on \ ˈdra-gən \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of dragon

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 capitalized : draco

5 : something or someone formidable or baneful

—

dragonish

play \-gə-nish\ adjective

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Recent Examples of dragon from the Web

Highlights of the annual event include the popular dragon boat race, a culture program, an Asian music and dance fest, a cultural showcase, exhibits and traditional cuisine. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Ramsey Creek Park.

— courtney devores, charlotteobserver, "Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | May 18-24 | Charlotte Observer," 16 May 2018
For Prince Harry and the royal family, the Crown Office's artists chose the red dragon, the heraldic symbol of Wales, seen on the left-hand side.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Queen Elizabeth's Instrument of Consent for the Royal Wedding Includes Some Meaningful Hidden Details," 14 May 2018
Fischer, 26, whipped up frozen lime and coconut macaroons with dragon fruit semifreddo (a dessert that's similar to frozen mousse) and created an Amaretto sponge cake with apricot jam and almond buttercream.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "Auburn chef bakes his way to final 3 on Food Network reality show," 1 May 2018
Tweets thanking Kanye West for recognizing their mutual dragon energy and/or featuring signed MAGA merch and/or having the effect of making Twitter completely unusable forever: 2 2.

— mark lisanti, Vanities, "The Trump Family Power Rankings: The Dragon Energy of International Bromance for the Week Ending April 27," 27 Apr. 2018
Last year's festival primarily focused on the dragon boat races in Pottawatomie Park, with some entertainment in the Pottawatomie Park Pavilion.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "No Festival of the Fox this summer in St. Charles," 12 Apr. 2018
Like dragon fruit, as well as red and black licorice.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "Ranch cotton candy is now totally a thing at Kings Island," 10 Apr. 2018
Some fans brought their four-legged friends, while others strolled the campgrounds with a macaw and a bearded dragon lizard.

— kellie hwang, azcentral, "Country Thunder Arizona 2018: Our 5 favorite moments," 9 Apr. 2018
The study also looks at what would happen to the climate if the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere doubled, say from dragons torching the countryside or from burning too much wildfire.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Break Down the Crazy Climate in 'Game of Thrones'," 26 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dragon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dragon

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

DRAGON Defined for English Language Learners

dragon

noun

Definition of dragon for English Language Learners

: an imaginary animal that can breathe out fire and looks like a very large lizard with wings, a long tail, and large claws

DRAGON Defined for Kids

dragon

noun drag·on \ ˈdra-gən \

Definition of dragon for Students

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

Learn More about dragon

See words that rhyme with dragon Spanish Central: Translation of dragon Nglish: Translation of dragon for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dragon

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dragonish

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