griffin

noun

grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

variants or griffon or less commonly gryphon

: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Illustration of griffin

Examples of griffin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rebrand also included a new logo with a black griffin, a reference to the statues that have overlooked the building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for over 100 years. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Historically, the griffin has served as a symbolic guardian of Umbrian culture and identity, and more broadly, of Italy itself. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

The logo revives the griffin but places it with a bold, circular emblem that is unmistakably digital. —Sheri Lambert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2025

This confirms that the Scythian animal style first developed in the east, later expanding its iconography and symbolic significance to include deer, griffins, boars, and more. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English griffon, from Anglo-French grif, griffun, from Latin gryphus, from Greek gryp-, gryps

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for griffin

• griffon
• gryphon
• stiffen
• tiffin

Kids Definition

griffin

noun

grif·​fin

variants or griffon also gryphon

ˈgrif-ən

: an imaginary animal that is half eagle and half lion

Geographical Definition

Griffin

geographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

city south-southeast of Atlanta in west central Georgia population 23,643

Biographical Definition

Griffin

biographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən 

Walter Burley 1876–1937 American architect