Daniel

American  

[dan-yuhl] / ˈdæn jəl /

noun

1. Bible.

   1. a prophet living in Babylon during the Captivity.

   2. the book of the Bible bearing his name. Dan.

2. Samuel, 1562–1619, English poet and historian: poet laureate 1599–1619.

3. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “the Lord is my judge.”

---

Daniel ¹ British  

/ ˈdænjəl /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. a youth who was taken into the household of Nebuchadnezzar, received guidance and apocalyptic visions from God, and was given divine protection when thrown into the lions' den

   2. the book that recounts these experiences and visions (in full The Book of the Prophet Daniel )

2. (often preceded by a) a wise upright person

---

Daniel ² British  

/ ˈdænjəl /

noun

1. Paul ( Wilson ). born 1958, English conductor; musical director of the English National Opera (1997–2005)

2. Samuel. ?1562–1619, English poet and writer: author of the sonnet sequence Delia (1592)

---

Etymology

Origin of Daniel

sense 2: referring to Daniel in the Apocryphal Book of Susanna

Example Sentences

That challenge landed with composer Daniel Hart long before a single script was finished.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

UC climate scientist Daniel Swain said this pattern will accelerate “for the rest of our lives as air continues to warm and baseballs continue to meet less and less resistance.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

It quickly led to a probe of suspicious links between its director, the banker Daniel Vorcaro, and public figures in Brazil at both ends of the political spectrum.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

Steven Lyons is the head of the Lyons group, which has been involved in a feud with the rival Daniel group in Scotland for more than 20 years.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

She quickly told her mom about meeting Sue and Daniel, about the harrowing drive through the fire, and her and Sue getting separated from their dads.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz