lion

[ lahy-uhn ]

/ ˈlaɪ ən /

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See synonyms for: lion / lionlike 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.

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Idioms for 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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM lion

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

Words nearby lion

Linux, liny, Lin Yutang, Linz, Linzer torte, lion, lioncel, Lionel, lioness, lionet, lionfish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for lion

The trip starts in Nairobi National Park, where rhinos, giraffes, and lions wander wide-open grass plains.
27 Epic Trips to Start Planning Now|The Editors|September 8, 2020|Outside Online
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.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
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 Science
Biologists 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|Nautilus

You 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|DAILY BEAST
There 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|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
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. Ballantyne
The strength of the lion is tremendous, owing to the immense mass of muscle around its jaws, shoulders, and forearms.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
The 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|Various
Up to this period he had not been successful in accomplishing his great wish—the shooting of a lion.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
When 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)

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)

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lion

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British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for lion

British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)

noun

Idioms and Phrases with lion

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

lion

noun

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE MANY TYPES OF NOUNS

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Idioms for lion

Origin of lion

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Words related to lion

Example sentences from the Web for lion

British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for lion

British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)

noun

Idioms and Phrases with lion