lion

[ lahy-uh n ]

/ ˈlaɪ ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

(initial capital letter) Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Leo.

(initial capital letter) 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.
hardhead².

British. an object of interest or note.

Nearby words

linux, liny, linyu, linz, linzer torte, lion, lion's share, lion-hearted, lioncel, lionel, lioness

Idioms

beard the lion in its den, to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.

twist the lion's tail, to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.

Origin of lion

before 900; Middle English < Old French, variant of leon < Latin leōn- (stem of leō) < Greek léōn; replacing Middle English, Old English lēo < Latin, as above

Related forms

li·on·esque, adjectiveli·on·like, li·on·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lion

Indeed, Lion Air, with 45 percent of the domestic Indonesian airline market, has swallowed the Fernandes formula whole.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Two Indonesian airlines, Garuda and Lion Air, have seen Fernandes eat their lunch and are only now responding.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Lion Air captain had left his rookie copilot to make the landing until he realized he was in trouble.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The airplane was owned by an Indonesian budget carrier, Lion Air.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The lion, unlikely though it seems, becomes a family friend, and the story closes with a moral: Care.
When Activism Is Worse Than Apathy|Nancy Kaffer|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wild were the plaudits of the multitude, but the lion was staggering and his roar was muffled.
Ulric the Jarl|William O. Stoddard
From the woods and the forests they came, and from the bare hillsides—the lion, the leopard and the trembling fawn.
Children of the Dawn|Elsie Finnimore Buckley
She is a brave girl, and she loves the Lion (Leo); thou sawest how she clung to him, and saved his life.
She|H. Rider Haggard
Merodach's column terminated in a lance head, and the head of a lion crowned that of Nergal.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria|Donald A. Mackenzie
As the lion bounded away through the assembled party, it appeared as if the ox was not a feather's weight to him.
The Mission|Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)

lion

/ (ˈlaɪən) /

noun

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 maneRelated adjective: leonine

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

beard the lion in his den to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour

the lion's share the largest portion

Word Origin for lion

Old English līo, lēo (Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French liun), both from Latin leo, Greek leōn

British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)

Lion

/ (ˈlaɪən) /

noun

the Lion the constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with lion

lion

In addition to the idiom beginning with lion

, also see

beard the lion
throw to the wolves (lions)

lion

noun

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of lion

Related forms

Examples from the Web for lion

British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)

lion

noun

Word Origin for lion

British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)

Lion

noun

Idioms and Phrases with lion

lion