Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

mountain lion

American  

noun

mountain lions plural
  1. cougar.


mountain lion British  

noun

  1. another name for puma

"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 Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of mountain lion

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time, Kevin McManus with Pasadena Humane told ABC7 News that mountain lion sightings in the city are “extremely rare,” but noted that last year’s wildfires could be pushing cats further into residential areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

The Pasadena community was on high alert Friday after a mountain lion was spotted lounging near an elementary and middle school and a packed graduation ceremony, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Even more baffling is the fact that just one week ago a mountain lion was found in a residential area of Santa Monica, which similarly prompted shelter-in-place warnings for people living nearby.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Fish and Wildlife officials tranquilized the animal with a game dart, after which the mountain lion ran east over a fence before the dart started taking effect.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

And then, incredibly, Dodger turned to follow the mountain lion.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "mountain lion" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com