Lion Definition & Meaning

American

British

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Etymology

Examples

Related Words

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.

“Ladies, you are the lions of New York,” editor George Ripley raved.

From Literature

The 35-year-old sculptor's studio brims with cogs, chains, hubcaps and engine parts as his hulking creations -- a lion with a mane of twisted steel, a giant Tyrannosaurus rex and a towering Optimus Prime -- take shape.

From Barron's

A Glendale nurse practitioner is warning area residents to be on alert for a mountain lion that attacked and dragged away her dog Monday evening just outside her home.

From Los Angeles Times

The very thought of jungles brought up visions of all kinds of man-eating things like lions, tigers, and gorillas.

From Literature

I screamed like a mountain lion and fell to the ground and rolled, throwing mud and dirt all over, but those pixies bit my nose, my cheeks, my ears, and all ten of my fingers.

From Literature

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.