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
Synonyms of lion
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
The teacher gets to choose the quietest lion as the winner, but don't be surprised if some of them fall asleep—bonus!
—
Fiona Tapp, Parents, 18 Dec. 2025
The European Union is on the precipice of a momentous decision on whether to use frozen Russian assets to finance more support for Ukraine, an unprecedented plan that has set up a clash between the many member states that support it and Belgium, where the lion’s share of the assets is held.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
The United States has no real coercive apparatus, let alone one that consumes the lion’s share of its budget.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
When the games descend on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, our athletes are walking into the lion’s den of style.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lion
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Fiona Tapp, Parents, 18 Dec. 2025
The European Union is on the precipice of a momentous decision on whether to use frozen Russian assets to finance more support for Ukraine, an unprecedented plan that has set up a clash between the many member states that support it and Belgium, where the lion’s share of the assets is held.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
The United States has no real coercive apparatus, let alone one that consumes the lion’s share of its budget.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
When the games descend on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, our athletes are walking into the lion’s den of style.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lion
Cite this Entry
“Lion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lion. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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