lion

noun

li·​on ˈlī-ən 

plural lions

1

a

or plural lion : a large heavily built social cat (Panthera leo) of open or rocky areas chiefly of sub-Saharan Africa though once widely distributed throughout Africa and southern Asia that has a tawny body with a tufted tail and a shaggy blackish or dark brown mane in the male

b

: any of several large wildcats

especially : cougar sense 1

c

Lion : leo

2

a

: a person felt to resemble a lion (as in courage or ferocity)

b

: a person of outstanding interest or importance

a literary lion

3

Lion [Lions (club)] : a member of a major national and international service club

lionlike

ˈlī-ən-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms of lion

• magnate
• tycoon
• king
• prince
• lord
• baron
• star
• czar
• monarch

Examples of lion in a Sentence

the roar of the lion

He was a literary lion among the writers of his time.

Recent Examples on the Web

After the Lions tied the score, sophomore defensive back Sean Veritch snagged a deflected pass by Bishop Amat quarterback Domenico Doran, and the Lions drove to the Lancers’ 16-yard line. — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Thank you to the San Francisco Zoo for their expertise darting the lion and documenting the scene. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Orlando City looks to continue its hot streak in Major League Soccer play when the Lions visit the New England Revolution on Saturday night. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

It's believed that lion left the area and found its way into the city from the Santa Cruz mountains. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French leun, lion, from Latin leon-, leo, from Greek leōn

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lion

• ant lion
• aphid lion
• California sea lion
• golden lion tamarin
• lion's den
• lion's mane
• lion's mane mushroom
• lion's share
• mountain lion
• sea lion

Rhymes for lion

• amphitryon
• dandelion
• herodian
• hawaiian
• ixion
• mauryan
• orion
• procyon
• visayan
• heian
• ion
• mayan

Kids Definition

lion

noun

li·​on ˈlī-ən 

plural lion or lions

: a large flesh-eating mammal of the cat family that has a brownish buff coat, a tufted tail, and in the male a shaggy mane and that lives in open or rocky areas of Africa and formerly southern Asia

lionlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective