dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdra-gən How to pronounce dragon (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of dragon in a Sentence

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.
Catster adds that, even if the cat doesn’t try to eat the dragon, the predator's presence can cause chronic stress in the reptile, leading to health issues. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 In addition to seeing a fantastic display of more than 15,000 lanterns strung above the streets and across canal bridges, attendees can also expect Chinese lion and dragon dances, an Emperor’s parade, and even acrobatic shows. Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025 But in the interim, since the dragon’s demise, something has gone terribly wrong. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 Some children were at the Miami protest with their parents, including four-year-old Ellie MacLaren, who was sitting on the grass near the Torch of Friendship flipping through a picture book of dragons and castles and placing dragon stickers on the pages. Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dragon

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragon was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dragon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragon. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dragon

noun
drag·​on ˈdrag-ən How to pronounce dragon (audio)
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

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