Lion Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms lion American [lahy-uhn] / ˈlaɪ ən /

    noun

    1. a large, usually tawny-yellow cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa and southern Asia, having a tufted tail and, in the male, a large mane.

    2. any of various related large wildcats, as the cougar.

    3. a man of great strength, courage, etc.

    4. a person of great importance, influence, charm, etc., who is much admired as a celebrity.

      a literary lion.

    5. the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain.

    6. Astronomy, Astrology. Leo, the constellation or sign of Leo.

    7. Leo, a member of any one of the internationally affiliated service clubs International Association of Lions Clubs founded in 1917 and dedicated to promoting responsible citizenship, sound government, and community, national, and international welfare.

    8. Numismatics.

      1. a silver, Anglo-Gallic denier, issued during the reign of Henry III, bearing the figure of a lion.

      2. a gold coin of Scotland, issued c1400–1589, bearing the figure of a lion.

      3. any of various other coins bearing the figure of a lion.

      4. hardhead.

    9. British. an object of interest or note.

    idioms

    1. twist the lion's tail, to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.

    2. beard the lion in its den, to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.

    lion 1 British / ˈlaɪən /

    noun

    1. a large gregarious predatory feline mammal, Panthera leo, of open country in parts of Africa and India, having a tawny yellow coat and, in the male, a shaggy mane

    2. a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain

    3. a courageous, strong, or bellicose person

    4. a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following

    5. to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour

    6. the largest portion

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Lion 2 British / ˈlaɪən /

    noun

    1. the constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 lion More Idioms

      More idioms and phrases containing lion

      • beard the lion
      • throw to the wolves (lions)

    Other Word Forms

    • lionesque adjective
    • lionlike adjective
    • lionly adjective

    Etymology

    Origin of lion

    First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Old French, variant of leon, from Latin leōn- (stem of leō ), from Greek léōn; replacing Middle English, Old English lēo, from Latin, as above

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    “Private builders have always built the lion’s share of our housing stock, and they still do,” he said.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    My grandfather was very much in the lion in winter stage of his life when he lived by the destroyer.

    From Salon

    One sector in particular has driven the lion’s share of jobs growth in 2025: education and health services.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    Part of the move is the broadening of the market rally: While AI accounted for the lion’s share of the gains in this bull market, investors have recently been shifting their attention elsewhere.

    From Barron's

    However, the decline in activity in October was driven by a weaker services sector, which comprises the lion’s share of the British economy, including a 1.1% fall in retail trade.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    Related Words

    • cat
    • cougar
    • wildcat

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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