leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈle-pərd How to pronounce leopard (audio)
1
a
: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usually tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes

called also panther

b
: the fur or pelt of a leopard
2
: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant

Illustration of leopard

Illustration of leopard
  • leopard 1

Examples of leopard 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.
The garden that separates the main house from the casita, designed by Double Green Landscapes, melds Japanese and California influences with a variety of maple and ginkgo trees, giant timber bamboo, bower wattle, and leopard plants. Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2024 Jourdan Dunn showed up in a two-piece leopard print set by Dior with a matching bus boy style cap. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024 Biker boots by Loewe just hit the sale section, while Jacquemus’s leopard slingbacks are cool yet practical. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024 The brand’s penchant for prints is reflected in the store concept, which boasts leopard print flooring or leopard print bean bag chairs paired with striped accents. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leopard 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lepart, leupart, from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leopardos, from leōn lion + pardos leopard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near leopard

Cite this Entry

“Leopard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leopard. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

leopard

noun
leop·​ard ˈlep-ərd How to pronounce leopard (audio)
: a large strong cat of southern Asia and Africa that has a brownish buff coat with black spots arranged in broken rings

called also panther

More from Merriam-Webster on leopard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!