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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unit 2, Week 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Last Thanksgiving, Megan Thee Stallion labored for days to prepare an elaborate holiday dinner for then-boyfriend Klay Thompson and his family.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
Megan Thee Stallion has quit her role in Moulin Rouge!
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Beverage chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks are offering high-protein milk options for their lattes, tapping celebrities like reality star Khloé Kardashian and musician Megan Thee Stallion as spokeswomen.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
In October 2025, Albany International announced it was exploring “strategic alternatives” for its structures assembly business, which includes a potential exit from its contract for Lockheed Martin’s CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter program.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
When I was in the fourth grade, I started going upstairs to the junior high school library to check out the Black Stallion series.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
![]()
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.