stallion
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of stallion
1275–1325; Middle English stalon < Old French estalon, equivalent to stal- (< Germanic; see stall 1) + -on noun suffix
Explanation
While the word stallion most often means "male horse," you can also call donkeys and zebras (as well as other horse relatives) stallions. A horse is frequently referred to as a stallion once he fathers a foal. While in most of the western world stallions are primarily kept for breeding, it is popular in parts of the Middle East and Asia for stallions to be used for riding (almost always by men). The word stallion comes from stall, referencing ancient laws requiring male breeding horses to be kept in stalls rather than allowed to wander in fields.
Vocabulary lists containing stallion
Elijah of Buxton
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In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
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Unit 2, Week 2
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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.
Patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers while cut-outs depicted the 60-year-old politician riding a stallion.
From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025
National Trust Cymru said the decision was made "following complaints" about a stallion and the number of horses exceeding "the agreed limit" in the commoner's right to graze.
From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025
The image became an instant meme with people superimposing the stallion into shots from “The Shining,” “Alien 3” and any other movie where this horse’s malevolent visage actually made sense.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2024
The couple spotted the zebra, a stallion named “Z,” roaming their horse pasture at about 2 p.m.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024
As Ellidyr had ridden up behind Taran, his steed had reached out her long neck and given the stallion a spiteful nip.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
