lion

[lahy-uhn]

noun

1. 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.

2. any of various related large wildcats, as the cougar.

3. a man of great strength, courage, etc.

4. a person of great importance, influence, charm, etc., who is much admired as a celebrity.

   a literary lion.

5. the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain.

6. Astronomy, Astrology.,  Leo, the constellation or sign of Leo.

7. 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.

8. Numismatics.

   1. a silver, Anglo-Gallic denier, issued during the reign of Henry III, bearing the figure of a lion.

   2. a gold coin of Scotland, issued c1400–1589, bearing the figure of a lion.

   3. any of various other coins bearing the figure of a lion.

   4. hardhead.

9. British.,  an object of interest or note.

lion

¹

/ ˈlaɪən /

noun

1. 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

2. a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain

3. a courageous, strong, or bellicose person

4. a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following

5. to approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour

6. the largest portion

Lion

²

/ ˈlaɪən /

noun

1. the constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac

Other Word Forms

• lionesque adjective
• lionlike adjective
• lionly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lion¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lion¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

More idioms and phrases containing lion

• beard the lion
• throw to the wolves (lions)

Example Sentences

The national park, home to elephants, lions, hippos, leopards and many other animals, attracts almost a million visitors a year, and is a jewel in the crown of South Africa's tourism industry.

Read more on BBC

It was real, a “two-hundred-pound tawny-haired lion with golden eyes and soft, round ears and paws the size of baseball mitts.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This group of borrowers has driven the lion’s share of refinancing activity this year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sweatband cradling his brow and lion inked on his back, the 31-year-old has boldly written his own legacy.

Read more on BBC

That changed around 2008 or 2009, when the horses began lingering at lower elevations, where the open country makes it difficult for lions to hunt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cat 
• cougar 
• wildcat