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.
Big Blue has invested $10 million in MDS Proteomics, a subsidiary of MDS, based in Toronto, Canada, and recently announced a collaboration with LION.
From Time Magazine Archive
A LION, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn.
From Aesop's Fables Translated by George Fyler Townsend by Townsend, George Fyler
A LION, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice.
From Aesop's Fables Translated by George Fyler Townsend by Townsend, George Fyler
A LION, growing old, lay sick in his cave.
From Aesop's Fables Translated by George Fyler Townsend by Townsend, George Fyler
The western party were distributed as follows:— LION.
From Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea by Franklin, John
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.
