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.
any of various related large wildcats, as the cougar.
a man of great strength, courage, etc.
a person of great importance, influence, charm, etc., who is much admired as a celebrity.
a literary lion.
the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain.
Astronomy, Astrology. Leo, the constellation or sign of Leo.
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.
Numismatics.
a silver, Anglo-Gallic denier, issued during the reign of Henry III, bearing the figure of a lion.
a gold coin of Scotland, issued c1400–1589, bearing the figure of a lion.
any of various other coins bearing the figure of a lion.
British. an object of interest or note.
twist the lion's tail, to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.
beard the lion in its den, to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.
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
a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain
a courageous, strong, or bellicose person
a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following
to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour
the largest portion
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
A lion is a distant relative of your adorable pet kitten: a large, wild cat found in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Male lions have thick, golden-colored manes around their necks. While the male lion is arguably more striking than the female, it's the females who do nearly all the hunting for a group, or pride, of lions. Tigers are actually larger than lions, making "the king of the beasts" the second-largest wild cat. Because of their strength and power, images of lions are often used as symbols on flags and coats of arms. It's also common to call a strong, courageous person a lion.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Isabela Island, a local sea lion known as Panchito has become famous for commandeering the loungers at Cormorant Beach House.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
However, the evidence linking mountain lion activity to changes in deer, coyote, and bobcat behavior was much stronger.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
Three hours before the match, AFP spoke with several protesters who held tickets and wore T-shirts printed with that pre-revolution flag -- horizontal green, white and red stripes overlaid with a sun and a lion.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
"He wasn't the biggest, but he had the heart of a lion," added the ex-Buddies boss, who led the Paisley club to their 2013 League Cup triumph.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
“You’re the lion tamer,” Chase said to Nicole.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
None have measured up to their source material, although Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music in the 2024 prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King” contributed the best ditties to the studio’s songbook in decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
Later this year, they‘ll launch their first premium series, “Lostlings,” with Lion Forge Entertainment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The landscape inspired the author C. S. Lewis to create his fictional land Narnia, the setting for his chronicles including, most famously, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
“Sleeping by the Lion Carpet” represented the final, culminating portrait of their series, which may also explain why it sold for $39 million, said auctioneer Oliver Barker.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown, thought Tristran to himself, remembering the old nursery rhyme.
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
Graham, for better and worse, had built up a fiefdom for himself in foreign policy, similar to the way McCain or other old Senate lions had.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
As children, cattle and lambs happily commune with bears, lions and wolves in the foreground, the background depicts William Penn making a treaty with Tamanend, chief of the Lenape Nation, and founding Pennsylvania.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
The zoo, which is based at a farm in Old Hurst near Huntingdon, has more than 100 animals, including lions, tigers and meerkats.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
One involved mountain lions, deer, and plant life, a relationship known as a tri-trophic cascade.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
“Ladies, you are the lions of New York,” editor George Ripley raved.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
