lion
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.
Leo, Astronomy, Astrology. 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.
Idioms about lion
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
1Other words from lion
- li·on·esque, adjective
- li·on·like, li·on·ly, adjective
Words Nearby lion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lion in a sentence
The trip starts in Nairobi National Park, where rhinos, giraffes, and lions wander wide-open grass plains.
Robin and his friends long for a world where they are invited into mainstream society, while still getting to be their super cool selves, which they get when King Richard returns at the end of the film and he’s not just a lion but a True Ally.
He used it as a way to answer a question on if lions have any difficulty breeding in captivity or the wild.
How a 19-year-old lion fathered 35 cubs in 18 months | Tom McNamara | August 27, 2020 | Popular-ScienceBiologists have documented infanticide in numerous species, including lions and many nonhuman primates such as langur monkeys and chimpanzees.
Just Because It’s Natural Doesn’t Mean It’s Good - Issue 89: The Dark Side | David P. Barash | August 19, 2020 | NautilusYou might also become hyper-vigilant about potential dangers — like the proverbial man-eating lion lurking in the tall grass of our ancestors’ savannah.
Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”? (Ep. 407) | Stephen J. Dubner | February 27, 2020 | Freakonomics
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is a larger reason, beyond the airlines themselves, why lion Air and 61 other Indonesian airlines are on this black list.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501 | Clive Irving | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTwo 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe airplane was owned by an Indonesian budget carrier, lion Air.
Thereafter he ran away from school twice, having been seized with a romantic and irresistible desire to see and shoot a lion!
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneThe strength of the lion is tremendous, owing to the immense mass of muscle around its jaws, shoulders, and forearms.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneThe calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousUp to this period he had not been successful in accomplishing his great wish—the shooting of a lion.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneWhen a hungry lion is watching for prey, the sight of any animal will make him commence stalking it.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
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: Related 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
Origin of lion
1British Dictionary definitions for Lion (2 of 2)
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with lion
In addition to the idiom beginning with lion
, also see
- beard the lion
- throw to the wolves (lions)
.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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