Leo

¹

[ lee-oh ]

noun

, genitive Le·o·nis [lee-, oh, -nis]

1. Astronomy. the Lion, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Cancer, containing the bright star Regulus.
2. Astrology.
   1. the fifth sign of the zodiac: the fixed fire sign.
   2. a person born under this sign, usually between July 23rd and August 22nd.
3. a male given name: from a Greek word meaning “lion.”

LEO

²

abbreviation for

1. law enforcement officer ( def ).
2. low earth orbit.

LEO

¹

abbreviation for

1. low earth orbit

Leo

²

/ ˈliːəʊ /

noun

1. astronomy a zodiacal constellation in the N hemisphere, lying between Cancer and Virgo on the ecliptic, that contains the star Regulus and the radiant of the Leonid meteor shower
2. astrology
   1. Also calledthe Lion the fifth sign of the zodiac, symbol ♌, having a fixed fire classification and ruled by the sun. The sun is in this sign between about July 23 and Aug 22
   2. a person born during a period when the sun is in this sign

adjective

1. astrology born under or characteristic of Leo

Leo

³

/ ˈliːəʊ /

noun

1. a name for a lion, used in children's tales, fables, etc

Leo

/ lē′ō /

1. A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Cancer and Virgo. Leo (the Lion) contains the bright star Regulus and is the fifth sign of the zodiac.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Leo¹

from Latin: lion

Example Sentences

Leo comes to nurture you because that’s what he’s learned from you.

From Washington Post

As much as I want Leo to be a good kid, I also want him to grow into a good man.

From Washington Post

As Anwar was trying to force his way back into the Honda by climbing on top of the girl in the driver’s seat, Leo said, the 13-year-old reached across from the passenger seat, turned on the ignition and “manipulated” the gear shift.

From Washington Post

The vehicle lurched forward and accelerated down the block before crashing, Leo said.

From Washington Post

Basing his testimony on witness statements and video recordings, Leo said that Anwar wound up standing outside his car, with the 15-year-old in the driver’s seat and the other girl in the front passenger seat.

From Washington Post

As many West Wing fans have pointed out, the character of Leo McGarry died after Sorkin had already left the series.

From The Daily Beast

Leo and Jorge might reasonably have assumed that the matter had been put to bed.

From The Daily Beast

She saw herself as part of a larger tradition that includes Honore de Balzac, Leo Tolstoy, Marcel Proust, and Thomas Mann.

From The Daily Beast

Leo wrote back right away and said the trip sounded fascinating and he would love to join.

From The Daily Beast

For a moment of levity, Leo was challenged by David Beckham to do the ALS ice water bucket challenge.

From The Daily Beast

Leo II, pope, died; an able and resolute pontiff; established the kiss of peace at the mass, and the use of holy water.

From Project Gutenberg

"Because we are never going to die," said the Girl and Leo together, still more loudly.

From Project Gutenberg

A woman came out of the doorway and stood behind them, and Leo saw in her face a look that he had sometimes seen in the Girl's.

From Project Gutenberg

Leo rose up with a very heavy heart, and he and the girl together went to and fro among men; their new fear of death behind them.

From Project Gutenberg

Leo stamped down the fire with his heel and the Girl flung the flower-wreaths out of sight, shuddering as she did so.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cat
• cougar
• wildcat

More About Leo

What does Leo mean?

Leo is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as representing a lion. It’s sometimes referred to as The Lion.

A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Leo is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac.

In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move.

Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Leo is one of these signs. It is situated between Cancer and Virgo and is considered the fifth sign of the zodiac.

The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Leo are those born between July 23 and August 22.

The word Leo can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in early August, so I’m a Leo. The word Leonian can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Leo.

Leo is also a given name, traditionally a male one.

Example: Oh, your birthday is in August? Are you a Leo?

Leo dates

People with the sign Leo are traditionally considered to be those born in the range of July 23–August 22. However, interpretations vary.

Where does Leo come from?

Leo comes from Greek, from a word meaning lion. It is often used in stories as the name for a lion character.

In astrology, the different signs of the zodiac are thought to be associated with certain personality traits. Traits associated with Leo include competitiveness and bravery (probably due to being considered lionhearted). Leo and the other signs of the zodiac are often used in the context of a person’s horoscope. The word horoscope can refer to a diagram of the heavens that maps the relative position of planets and the signs of the zodiac. It can also refer to a prediction based (or said to be based) on a person’s sign and the location of other celestial bodies at the time they were born.

Get more insight into what really defines a Leo by visiting our article on the many traits of Leos. 

Did you know … ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with Leo? 

• leopard
• lion

What are some words that often get used in discussing Leo?

• constellation
• zodiac
• sign
• sign of the zodiac
• zodiacal constellation
• July
• August
• lion
• astrology
• astronomy

How is Leo used in real life?

The word Leo is used to refer to the constellation or the sign of the zodiac named after the constellation. In the context of astrology, people associate a number of different traits with the sign Leo.

Leos, what’s the most Leo thing you’ve ever done? 🤔

— Halle Berry (@halleberry) June 17, 2021

I have so much fire in me. I’m so feisty, spicy etc. My gosh. I’m a Leo so it makes sense but geez.

— Stacey’s World (@Stacey_Ziyavaya) June 17, 2021

The moon is beautiful tonight (and every night), sitting snugly between the stars of the constellation Leo.

— ❄ E ❄ (@loulizlacipolla) June 16, 2021

Try using Leo!

True or False?

Leos are born in December.