leopard

American  

[lep-erd] / ˈlɛp ərd /

noun

1. a large, spotted Asian or African carnivore, Panthera pardus, of the cat family, usually tawny with black markings; the Old World panther: all leopard populations are threatened or endangered.

2. the fur or pelt of this animal.

3. any of various related cats resembling this animal.

4. Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.

5. Numismatics.

   1. an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.

   2. a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.

6. Military. Leopard, a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105 mm gun.

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leopard British  

/ ˈlɛpəd /

noun

1. Also called: panther.  a large feline mammal, Panthera pardus, of forests of Africa and Asia, usually having a tawny yellow coat with black rosette-like spots

2. any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah

3. a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches

4. heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front

5. the pelt of a leopard

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Other Word Forms

• leopardess noun

Etymology

Origin of leopard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leopard, labarde, lebarde, from Old French leopard, lebard, leupard, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Greek leópardos, syncopated variant of leontópardos, equivalent to leonto- (stem of léōn ) + párdos; lion, pard ¹

Example Sentences

"May my breath not run out; I will run like a leopard," he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

On Tuesday, he spoke from the dock to confirm his name and his latest not guilty pleas, while wearing a leopard print shirt with several buttons undone and holding a fedora hat.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

"It's becoming increasingly clear that many pathogens are able to quickly mutate. Like the proverbial leopard that changes its spots, a virus can change the antigens on its surface," Pulendran said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

Skating to the ‘90s classic “Wannabe,” she wears Ginger Spice’s Union Jack dress, while partner Lewis Gibson dons a sequined version of Scary Spice’s leopard print.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

She mostly scribbles and tries to make letters, and I work on the winged leopard.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• cheetah
• panther