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.”

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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

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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)

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Etymology

Origin of Daniel

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

Example Sentences

As the tribunes, Bernardo De Paula’s Brutus and Daniel DeYoung’s Sicinius scheme and rabble-rouse with manipulative glee.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

The star-studded encounter, at Potters Field Park next to the River Thames, was arranged by Disney and the school's headteacher, Daniel Woodrow.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

As Prince Siegfried, the tragic hero of “Swan Lake,” both Isaac Hernández, a principal since 2025, and Daniel Camargo, a principal since 2022, proved most affecting and dramatic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

It appears to be based on a portrait taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok.

From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026

Daniel asked Zeke and Alicia, a little crestfallen, as everyone just kept walking by.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness